Salmon Return After Successful Home Coming Event

Isaac Nelson of DFO points out markings on the chum salmon held by HSWS hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard at the Salmon Come Home festival on Oct. 23 (HSWS photo)

Our annual Salmon Come Home event, held in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, took place on October 23, a beautiful cool dry autumn day. The popular community event has grown over the years, along with the forest area around the hatchery, so the event has expanded to include the Douglas College parking area. Salmon Come Home celebrates the life cycle of salmon, which spend their adult lives at sea and then return to the creeks where they hatched to spawn and die.

Thanks to the support of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, live salmon talks were provided each hour during the event, led by Isaac Nelson (DFO) and assisted by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. Live chum salmon were brought in from the Coquitlam River, as with the low rainfall, the streams had not risen to provide them passage.

That all changed on October 24, as enough rainfall had occurred to bring the chum salmon home.

A chum salmon jumps in Hoy Creek on Oct. 24 (HSWS photo)

Society members had the 10-month-old coho fry out for viewing adjacent to the rearing pond and visitors learned about the returning species. The hatchery incubation room was also on display.

Families were provided the opportunity to plant spruce seedlings or wildflower seeds in peat pots to take home.

Maple Creek Streamkeepers got people up close to examine a salmon dissection.

Members of Maple Creek Streamkeepers at the salmon dissection table (HSWS photo)

Over at the Douglas College site, live entertainment was provided by Elaina Buenaventura, Etienne Siew, and Erzsi Institorisz. Many other local environmental groups were on site. Other activities include the popular Nylon Zoo and costume parade with Angela Brown, food trucks and an explore nature contest.

Now that the salmon have begun their return, check out our Salmon Spotting Tips. Typically, chum salmon return to local creeks from early October to mid-November and coho from late October to mid-December. Return dates of salmon fluctuate annually based on weather conditions.

Families learn about the salmon species and view coho fry outside the rearing pond at Hoy Creek Hatchery (HSWS photo)

A beautiful fall day for Salmon Come Home on Oct. 23 at Hoy Creek Hatchery (HSWS Photo)

Summer Storm Drain Marking to Raise Awareness

Photo: HSWS

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was again out on the streets of Coquitlam over the summer to place yellow fish markers beside storm drains.

With two paint spills within a month, the need to make residents aware that our streets drain lead directly into our creeks and rivers was as important as ever.

Nothing but rainwater should go down storm drains.

To report a spill in the creek click here.

CLICK HERE TO READ HOME TIPS FOR HEALTHY STREAMS

Volunteer, Adela pounds down a yellow fish decal on Walton Ave.

Homes adjacent to a storm drain received an educational flyer. (Photo: HSWS)

Lower Mainland Streamkeepers Enjoy Sockeye Feast

A glimpse of the fresh out-of-the-sea sockeye dinner prepared by Chef Robert Clark for Organic Ocean Seafood. (HSWS photos)

On Sept. 11, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society directors were invited to a sumptuously fresh, sockeye salmon dinner, hosted by Organic Ocean Seafood and the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program in Richmond to celebrate the opening of the Wild Salmon Season.

The event, which brought together streamkeepers from across the Lower Mainland, was held at the Organic Ocean Seafood facility located on the Steveston docks. Attendees were able to view the salmon coming direct from the boat to the cutting board, to the barbecue, and to their plates.

Words were provided by the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program, the City of Richmond, Chef Robert Clark, and Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

It was a wonderful opportunity for local streamkeepers to enjoy camaraderie with other Lower Mainland stewards.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society extends a heartfelt thank you for the opportunity.

View our Facebook photo album

The team from SHARP (Salmon Habitat Restoration Program) standing with Richmond mayor; Chef Robert Clark; and Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture. (Photo: SHaRP)

Second paint spill of the summer at Hoy Creek

DESCRIPTION - Hoy Creek running milky - looks like paint in the water coming from a culvert Trail off of Walton Ave - first culvert just before the bridge
LOCATION - Hoy Creek - trail off Walton
REPORTED - 09/08/2022 03:08:19 PM
PHOTO taken at 6 p.m.

The City of Coquitlam has advised the Society of another paint spill in Hoy Creek. The report came in at 3 p.m. on Sept. 7 and it was noted at the same location as the spill on Aug. 21.

We have been told that "Environment and Public Works Staff were dispatched and were able to identify the source of the spill. It was a single-family home that had completed exterior painting work and then poured the remaining paint/paint water directly into the catch basin. Staff have educated the homeowner and enforcement action will be taken. The catch basin is being vacuumed out and there is a boom at the outfall, but unfortunately, there is still some contaminated water making its way downstream (very slowly). "

An HSWS volunteer took this photo at 6 p.m. We continue to monitor our coho smolts at the hatchery with the new Flowlink water monitoring system.

The residents were fined $500.

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

Trash collected from Hoy and Scott Creeks and adjacent trails

Three of the four volunteers out on Aug. 20 at Runnel Drive. Left to right: Matthew Watts, Anne W., and Tyler Storgaard. (HSWS photo)

Volunteer work at the hatchery during the summer turns to focus on the riparian area and clean streams. It’s an optimal time of year to mark storm drains as well. It’s also a key time to review the creek system and look for jams which are often a mix of large trash items and fallen tree debris that could hinder salmon passage.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was out several times in August and early September working along Hoy Creek in Coquitlam at various locations. In total, nine large contractor bags of trash were removed, along with other large items, such as a bed frame and car muffler.

On August 20th, the area of the stream at Runnel Drive near Lansdowne was the focus. Collected were lots of loose plastics and fast food containers, as well as price tags. A baby playpen was pulled from the creek, along with construction signage, toys, clothes, needles and packaging. Four volunteers collected four large bags of trash that were removed in less than two hours. View more photos of the Runnel clean on our Facebook album.

Trash removed adjacent to the stream at Lansdowne and Runnel. (HSWS photo)

Matthew and Tyler unload bags of trash from truck into the wheel barrel after the Aug. 20 stream clean. (HSWS photo)

On Sept. 3 we worked on a section of Hoy Creek behind Mr. Lube. Three volunteers collected three large bags of trash in two hours. Wooden pallets, a muffler, and several two-by-fours were pulled from Hoy Creek just north of the Barnet Highway bridge. The rubbish haul included many clothing items, books, price tags, needles, stuffed animals, cans, bottles, face masks, and general plastic fast food carton waste.

View more photos on our Facebook page.

Sofia and Anne stand in front just some of the trash removed in two hours along Hoy Creek, behind Mr. Lube in Coquitlam.

Robbin Whachell stands in Hoy Creek to break up debris and remove trash.

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.