Paint Spill Reported in Hoy Creek off Walton Avenue

Photo taken at 7:15 p.m. two and a half hours after it was reported to the City of Coquitlam.

A spill in Hoy Creek was reported to the City on Monday, August 16. Thanks to a resident who posted information on a Facebook community group, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was alerted. A volunteer of the Society reported it to the government and this photo was taken at 7:15 pm. This is the inflow area off Walton Ave east of Walton School on Hoy Trail.

On Tuesday, August 17, the City of Coquitlam provided the following update:

We received a report at 4:41 pm that Hoy Creek was running white and cloudy. Staff from both utilities and environment were immediately dispatched.

Staff believe the substance was paint. The boom at the Walton outfall was able to contain some of the substance, but some of it settled onto the bottom of the creek at the Walton outfall and is still there today.

Unfortunately despite having three staff working on the response, they were not able to trace the spill. They did a thorough patrol through the catchment areas and couldn’t find any leads. There were also no traces left in the storm main.

They checked the hatchery and the water was clear and there were no signs of harmed fish at the outfall or downstream. We checked FlowLink and it looks like turbidity at the hatchery increased to about 12.0 NTU around 7:00 pm yesterday.

Staff will continue to look out for any potential sources (paint contractors, construction/renovation work, signs of spills into catch basins etc). It is also possible that the washout was on private property through an onsite drain or perimeter drainage. It would all tie into the storm main, but would be difficult to catch unless it was actively occurring.

This screen shot was taken via the Flowlink water monitoring system. The sensor is down beside the hatchery, quite a ways downstream from the spill.

Fish being held in the outside rearing pond were monitored after and no fish deaths were reported at the hatchery.

The Society would like to remind Coquitlam residents that storm drains lead directly to our waterways, and everyone should exercise caution when disposing of pollutants, which include chemicals used for cleaning hot tubs and pools, etc. Nothing but rainwater should go down storm drains.

If you have information related to this spill, or to report a spill in the creek click here.

CLICK HERE TO READ HOME TIPS FOR HEALTHY STREAMS

Photos taken on Aug. 18, two days after the spill. It was great to see fish swimming around in the same area.

Stream Monitoring Data Loggers Deployed at Hoy Creek

Nikki holds the conductivity logger which has been monitoring Hoy Creek.

On August 9, members of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society met with Nikki Kroetsch, PSEC Community Engagement Coordinator (Ecosystems Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada) to learn how to download data from a conductivity logger placed in Hoy Creek near the hatchery. This logger has been capturing data for over a year and monitors conductivity, temperature, and water depth. Conductivity is the measure of water's ability to conduct electrical current and is affected by the presence of pollutants and salts.

Finding the GPS location.

Time was also spent re-deploying two temperature data loggers; one upstream (north) and one downstream (south) of the hatchery in Coquitlam. They were redeployed as both initial ones were lost during the last major weather events featuring atmospheric rivers.

A temperature data logger ready for deployment upstream from the hatchery.

Society members will download information from the loggers several times a year.

Detailed pictures were taken of each site and GPS coordinates were recorded.

Learn more about the DFO PSEC Community Stream Monitoring (CoSMo)

View more photos on our Facebook page.

Hoy Creek Hatchery Stop on Communities in Bloom Tour

Seen left to right: Anne Woosnam, HSWS Asst. Hatchery Manager; Berta Briggs, CiB Judge; Larry Hall, CiB Judge; and Caresse Selk, Environment Manager, City of Coquitlam.

On July 21 the judges from the Communities in Bloom (CiB) - Collectivités en fleurs competition came by to tour the Hoy Creek Hatchery. They were accompanied by representatives of the City of Coquitlam which is a competitor in the annual competition that "inspires all communities to enhance the quality of life and our environment through people and plants in order to create community pride." The CiB theme for 2022 is "Growing Great Places Together."

Assistant hatchery manager, Anne Woosnam led the tour for the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

"Communities in Bloom - Collectivités en fleurs is about greening through environmental, natural heritage conservation and horticultural actions that involve citizens, businesses, institutions, and municipalities. The program is focused on environmental stewardship through enhancement of green spaces."

On July 21 and 22, CiB judges, Berta Briggs and Larry Hall spent busy days visiting City parks and locations and the salmon hatchery is one of the key places in the city that exemplify their ethos.

Fish Kill Reported in Hoy Creek

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was advised by the City of Coquitlam that they were notified today of a fish kill reported on June 28 through the Observe Record Report (ORR) phone line by a member of the public stating that "approximately 100 dead fish were seen on the bottom of Hoy Creek near the intersection of Glen Drive and Johnson Street. The caller noted no evidence of signs of pollution, sediment or signs of potential causes of death."

"City Environment Division attended the site between 1:50 – 2:15 pm this afternoon and located approximately 25 dead salmonid fry-sized fish in a 10m stretch of slower water accessible from the trail about 30 metres downstream from the Glen Drive culverts. No dead fish were visible upstream from the culverts. The water at the location where the dead fish were seen was clear, and no smells or other evidence of pollutants were noted. City Drainage staff attended the site between 2:30 – 2:53 pm and were not able to locate any oil or turbidity in the creek. Drainage staff noted that they saw fish swimming around the creek."

Anyone with any information can email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com. Should you see a spill or dead fish in the stream, please contact the authorities. Here's more information on who to reach out to via our Contact page.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Nominated for Environmental Award

Repping HSWS! Left to right: Thomas, Anne, Robbin, Mike and Larry. (Photo: HSWS)

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam for nominating our group, and for hosting us at this year's Environmental Achievement Awards at Blue Mountain Park on June 26.

It was a beautiful day and an excellent event. We enjoyed learning about invasives with Invasive Species Council of BC, and learning about local trees. Congrats to this year’s winners!

Local stewardship groups and environmental heroes enjoyed time together.

Manager Environment, Caresse Selk gives remarks.

Melanie from the Invasive Species Council of BC helped us learn about invasive plants in our area.

Over 10,000 Coho Fry Marked at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Fisheries and Oceans Canada supported Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam for our annual fin clip on June 20. The coho salmon are approximately 3 months old.

The adipose fin is removed and is a soft, fleshy fin found on the top of the salmon, on the back behind the dorsal fin and just forward of the caudal fin. This marking of our coho supports:

  • Stock assessment for when salmon return to spawn, the clipped fins allow hatcheries and stream keepers to monitor their return.

  • Selective fisheries - in certain regions and sub-areas, a marked fishery is permitted for retention of the coho.

  • The procedure also allows for a manual fish count, whereas previously only weight sample counts took place.

The operation was overseen by DFO fisheries community advisor, Isaac Nelson and Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. Volunteers of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society assisted.

First, the fish are anesthetized in small batches. Once in the solution, they become sleepy within minutes. The volunteers stand ready around a table equipped with a trough with flowing water and beds of water for the fish to lay in. Volunteers work quickly and very carefully to clip fins with disinfected surgical scissors before they wake up, which is within about a minute. Fish are put into the outside trough and end up in the bucket at the end of the table. They are returned to the hatchery to recover.

The fish will soon be transferred from the hatchery Capilano trough room and will live in the rearing pond until Salmon Leave Home in May 2023. Fish from this brood could then return in about 2.5–3 years.

Thanks to all those who helped out this year!

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) is a volunteer-run non-profit society that operates a small salmon hatchery beside Hoy Creek and conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and with technical expertise from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The group stewards the Hoy and Scott Watersheds, promoting public awareness and education, and is involved in watershed habitat restoration and preservation. 

City Archives Features Hoy/Scott Watershed Society History

The previous Brewer family property at Hoy Creek, the location of today’s Hoy Creek Hatchery.

In a June 15, 2022 information bulletin put out by the City of Coquitlam titled, “Exhibit Explores Coquitlam’s Historic Connection to Salmon” the City Archives promotes the records provided by Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) in 2020 as their ‘newest’ online exhibit.

“A gift of records to Coquitlam Archives from the HSWS in 2020 provides insights into the rich role the community has played in restoring the Hoy-Scott watersheds. Meticulous records also highlight the thought, care and training involved in reintroducing salmonids to the Coquitlam watershed.“

Rearing Pond Invertebrate Salvage

Crayfish catch! All found in the bottom of the rearing pond. (Photo: HSWS)

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society conducted the annual rearing pond salvage on May 24.

Coho smolts were released on May 14. The water drained from the pond leaves lots of discoveries for invertebrates and crustaceans like crayfish, stoneflies and lamprey for discovery. One salmon smolt, as well as about a dozen fry, were also found. All were released into the stream.

Floorboards over the pond were first removed. After the salvage, the City of Coquitlam arranges for the pond mud and sediment to be removed via McCrae's Environmental Services (a vacuum truck), and then the pond will be pressure washed by the Society, floorboards returned, and then the creek water is reintroduced.

Later this month, the rearing pond will then be ready for the next coho brood to be transferred from the hatchery to live there until May 2023.

(Photo: HSWS)

Tyler searching with flashlight. (Photo: HSWS)

(Photo: HSWS)

Native Plants Added to Riparian Area of Hoy Creek

Volunteers of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society planting along Hoy Trail. (Photo: HSWS)

Protecting our riparian area…

During the pandemic, the Hoy Creek Linear Park saw a lot more foot traffic as people enjoyed outdoor spaces. Both 2020 and 2021 provided good salmon returns and viewing was at an all-time high as people traveled from all over to view the returning chum and coho.

With not many event options, viewing salmon was a big draw for many, and the Society noticed the effect on the plants of the riparian area.

Through the support of the City of Coquitlam, after a walk-about to review the trail and many ‘new’ access points to the creek, about 100 native plants were provided for Society volunteers to fill in bald spots.

Fencing was also discussed in the highest traffic areas so plant life can continue to do its part in protecting the stream, and subsequently the salmon.

Learn more about the riparian area.

(Photo: HSWS)

New Executive for Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

The new executive of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society 2022. Seen left to right: Robbin Whachell, Director; Anne Woosnam, Secretary; Kim Mayes, Director; Matthew Watts, Director; Sandra Uno, Treasurer; Kyle Uno, President; Rodney Lee, Director; Samantha Carpenter, Director; and Tyler Storgaard, Vice President. (Photo: HSWS)

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society held its annual general meeting on May 18. The meeting, with elections, were held virtually through Zoom conferencing.

The new executive is as follows:

  • President: Kyle Uno

  • Vice President: Tyler Storgaard

  • Treasurer: Sandra Uno

  • Secretary: Anne Woosnam

  • Directors: Rodney Lee, Robbin Whachell, Kim Mayes, Matthew Watts and Sam Carpenter

Thanked after serving three terms as secretary and one year as a director is Emily Rossi. Lani Lehun was also thanked for her years as a director and work as the past assistant hatchery manager. Anne Woosnam steps in as the new assistant hatchery manager, as announced by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

The Society is looking forward to input and enthusiasm from new executive members and will be getting together for a planning meeting to review the year ahead.

The photo above was taken after work digging invertebrates from the hatchery rearing pond which is now empty and drained. The coho smolts were released on May 14 and the pond will be cleaned and refilled to soon house the 2021/22 coho fry until release in May 2023.

Hoy - Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.