2024 AGM and Elections Held

Kyle Uno, President delivers a Year in Review at our AGM on Sept. 25 at the Poirier Branch of the Coquitlam Library.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following vice president, secretary and new directors:

  • Vice President – Tyler Storgaard (second term, hatchery manager)

  • Secretary – Robbin Whachell (past director, past president)

  • Director (past secretary, assistant hatchery manager)

  • Director - Kim Mayes (reappointment)

  • Director - Matthew Watts (reappointment)

  • Director - Annie Kim

The above mentioned join the existing executive:

President - Kyle Uno

Treasurer - Sandra Uno

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

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

President Kyle Uno (right) speaks at AGM on Sept. 25. The meeting was hybrid for society members.


Fire Foam Suspected Cause of Fishkill in Hoy Creek

HSWS photo

On Sunday, September 15, a member of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society reported a fishkill in Hoy Creek after seeing a foamy substance on the surface of the water and dead young fish in the stream.

The sighting was reported to the authorities.

The City of Coquitlam advised they were investigating.

HSWS photo

On Tuesday, September 17, the City provided the following information to the Society highlighting an incident that took place on Sunday at the City Center Aquatic Complex. Their report stating the following:

  • On Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, a fire rescue incident had occurred in the vicinity of the CCAC parking lot that led to fire foam entering a catch basin and the drainage system leading to Hoy Creek

  • EPW received a report of foam in Hoy Creek around 3pm and that there was evidence of fish kill.

  • The catch basin in the CCAC parking lot was vacuumed out and booms were deployed in 3 locations along Hoy Creek (see map below) to prevent the foam from travelling further downstream.

  • This morning (Monday, Sept. 16), an Environment Officer from the City inspected the CCAC parking lot, the outfall near Guildford Way and Pacific Street, and the water quality pond near Glen Drive and Johnson Street. The officer did not observe any further signs of water quality impact.

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.

Annual Stream Clean Held North of Barnet Highway

The clean-up crew!

On August 25, volunteers from the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society gathered for our annual stream clean-up along Hoy and Scott Creeks. With gloves on and trash bags in hand, members worked north of Barnet Highway.

This year, our volunteers pulled an unexpected array of items from the creeks. From an e-scooter to bedding, clothes, and even a crock pot, we unearthed a surprising mix of discarded goods. Among the findings were also empties, drug paraphernalia, a computer monitor, a headboard, a toy Nerf gun, a skateboard, and a bright red shopping buggy. The eclectic assortment of trash served as a stark reminder of the importance of our work in maintaining these vital waterways.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to this effort: Natesh, Rahm, Kyle, Cameron, Robert, Barry, Suzz, Matt, Anne, Kyle, and Sandra.

This clean-up is more than just a day of collecting trash; it's a powerful act of stewardship, a reflection of our community's dedication to maintaining the health of our local ecosystems. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society remains committed to safeguarding these habitats for the salmon, birds, and diverse wildlife that depend on them. As we look to the future, we encourage everyone to find new ways to support our beautiful watershed.

Together, we can keep Hoy and Scott Creeks clean, healthy, and thriving for generations to come.

2023/24 Surplus Coho Salmon Released

HSWS volunteer, Matt, carries a bucket of Coho fry to release in a nearby stream.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society's annual aquaculture license with federal fisheries allows us to incubate up to 18,500 eggs but only release 5,000 1-year-old Coho smolts each year.

After a prolonged warm dry period in July, consistent rains with cooler temperatures provided the perfect opportunity on July 30 for us to release our fed coho fry to Hoy and Scott Creeks. We use an insulated tub with supplied oxygen for transporting our fish, and with the help of volunteers, the fish are weighed out and bucketed to each location.

In total ~6,700 Coho were release to various sites in the watershed where optimum conditions provide the ability for rearing. These fish were from our 2023/24 brood year and will head to the ocean in spring 2025.

Huge thanks to all our volunteers who continue to support our efforts for healthier watersheds and healthy salmon!

Protecting Our Salmon with Yellow Fish Decals

Saki assists with peeling and Robbin does the pounding.

On July 23, Hoy-Scott Watershed Society volunteers took another important step to protect our local salmon population. Led by the ever-enthusiastic Anne, we installed yellow fish decals in the parkade of a residential complex adjacent to Hoy Creek. The "peel and pound team," made up of Saki and Robbin, worked diligently to place these bright yellow markers as a reminder of the direct connection between our urban environment and the health of our waterways.

These yellow fish decals are part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about stormwater pollution. When rain falls on streets and driveways, it can pick up oil, trash, chemicals, and other pollutants, which often end up flowing untreated into nearby streams and creeks. In our case, this means pollutants can quickly reach Hoy and Scott Creeks, threatening the delicate ecosystems and the salmon that call these waters home.

By placing these decals near storm drains and in parkades, we are helping to remind residents to be mindful of what goes down the drain. It’s a simple yet powerful message: what goes on our streets and parking lots can impact the life in our streams.

A big thank you goes out to Anne for organizing this initiative and to Saki and Robbin for their excellent work. Your efforts make a significant difference in protecting the vital habitat for salmon and other aquatic life in our creeks.

If you live near Hoy or Scott Creeks and notice that your streets or parkades could use some yellow fish decals, please let us know! We are always looking for new locations to spread awareness and make an impact.

Tackling Invasive Touch-Me-Nots in Our Watershed

Near the Hoy Trail head by Douglas College.

On July 13 and 24 a few volunteers from the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society gathered to take on an important task: managing the spread of an invasive plant species known as the Smallflower Touch-me-not (Impatiens parviflora). Originally from Asia, this plant has made its way into our local ecosystem, where it poses a threat to native flora and the overall health of our watershed.

Armed with gloves and a commitment to stewardship, our team focused on removing the invasive Touch-me-nots from the area. Fortunately, the roots of this species grow close to the surface, making it relatively easy to pull out and remove. Our efforts were met with success, thanks to the hard work of Anne, Adela, and Robbin, who put in valuable volunteer hours to help protect our local environment.

The Smallflower Touch-me-not is a fast-growing plant that can outcompete native vegetation, especially in moist, shaded areas like the understory of our forests. Its rapid spread disrupts the balance of our local ecosystems, impacting the plants and animals that depend on them. To learn more about this invasive species and the challenges it poses, visit the BC Invasive Species Council’s page on the Smallflower Touch-me-not here.

Efforts like this invasive plant removal are crucial in maintaining the health of our watersheds. By preventing the spread of invasive species, we help protect the native plants that are vital to our local ecosystem.

Thank you to our volunteers for your time and effort! Every plant pulled is a step toward a healthier, more balanced environment.

Hoy Trail north of the rearing pond on July 24.

Working with Park Spark (City of Coquitlam) along with Broombusters and the Talitha Koum Society on June 28, we learned about Touch-Me-Nots for the first time. We also pulled English Ivy at this location north of the hatchery off Pinewood.

Hoy Creek Habitat Restoration Project

Society wide angle photo of Hoy Creek looking from west to east.

Thanks to a grant from Pacific Salmon Foundation and the support of Lafarge Canada the Hoy Creek Habitat Restoration Project took place between June 26 and July 5. It was coordinated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

The project’s goal is to provide ability to better manage water flows, restoring natural habitat and increasing security against pollution events.

Project elements:

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, and vice president of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society reviewed time lapse footage of the work.

  • Tree removals for outlet improvements;

  • Removal of failing concrete outlet structure;

  • Resurfacing of aging rearing pond and replacement of failed flow control valve;

  • Construct a naturalized outlet channel, including stabilize the streambank to support spawning and

  • Increase rearing and broodstock capabilities with a secondary circular tub to mitigate effects of extended drought periods by allowing multipe species to be held (Chum, Coho).

During the work, the trail was closed for pedestrian safety and marked with signage. Thank you to the City of Coquitlam for support!

Society volunteer reviewing the work.

HSWS Membership Renewal Notice

Dear Hoy/Scott Watershed Society Members,

In 2023 we resolved to change our membership year to coincide with our active time and synchronize to our insurance cycle. 

Our updated bylaws state, "Memberships are valid from September 1st through August 31st. New members who apply and pay their membership fee after May 1st of a given year will hold valid membership through August 31st of the following year."

  1. If you joined us after May 1 of 2024, your membership is valid until August 31, 2025. No payment required until next year at this time. 

  2. If you joined us prior to May 1 of 2024, membership renewal is required. 
    Students are $5; Individuals $15; and Families $25

  3. Payments received now through Sept. 1 will cover you until August 31, 2025. 

  4. Please remit payment via our website PayPal system, HERE. Click this yellow Donate button on our website. 

Benefits of membership:

  1. You are covered under our insurance and therefore can perform volunteer work with us.

  2. You receive weekly updates from our hatchery manager about upcoming work and opportunities.

  3. You can vote at our meetings.

  4. You support our efforts!

Are you a NEW Member? Or, returning after some time?

If you would like to join us for the first time, it’s important that you complete our registration form and then submit your payment.

Have you let your membership lapse and wish to return? Great! Please complete the registration form and then submit your payment.

Questions about membership? Email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the
Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Over 12,000 Coho Fry Clipped at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Thank you to all of our volunteers who came out on June 21 to take part in our annual coho fry fin clipping exercise. We clipped 12,400 coho fry! The salmon are approximately 3 months old.

The exercise was supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and held in front of Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam .

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 the retention of the coho. The procedure also allows for a manual fish count, whereas previously only weight sample counts took place.

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.

A portion of the fish will be ponded at various creek locations in Coquitlam and the remaining will soon be transferred from the hatchery Capilano trough room to the outdoor rearing pond until Salmon Leave Home in May 2025. Fish from this brood could then return in about 1.5–2.5 years.

NOTICE: Hoy Creek Habitat Restoration and Improvements

The projects goal is to provide ability to better manage water flows, restoring natural habitat and increasing security against pollution events.

Project elements:

  • Tree removals for outlet improvements;

  • Removal of failing concrete outlet structure;

  • Resurfacing of aging rearing pond and replacement of failed flow control valve;

  • Construct a naturalized outlet channel, including stabilize the streambank to support spawning and

  • Increase rearing and broodstock capabilities with a secondary circular tub to mitigate effects of extended drought periods by allowing multipe species to be held (Chum, Coho).

During the work, the trail will be closed for pedestrian safety and marked with signage. Trail closures will be in placeimpacting accessibitliy for the trail section fromt eh hatchery, north towards Walton Elementary. Hoy Creek Linear trail from Guildford Way to White Pine Place will be open during construction, with intermittent traffic control for deliveries. It is anticipated the closures to be for 1–2 weeks as heavy equipment work completes.

Construction Schedule: June 26 – July 5


Questions?

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Catherine McClean

catherine.mcclean@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Community Advisor, Lower Fraser - North

604-230-4126



Hoy-Scott Watershed Society

Tyler Storgaard

hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com

Hatchery Manager, Vice-President

778-835-9867