Talitha Koum Spends Morning Supporting Local Streams

Along Hoy Creek on a beautiful fall day.

Thanks to the ladies from the Talitha Koum Society who put in two hours of community service on November 16, helping us clean the trails and banks of Hoy and Scott Creeks in Coquitlam. They were blessed to see salmon along the way and had glorious sunshine.

The activity was led by Robbin Whachell from the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Finds included a barbecue, a fire extinguisher, a tap shoe, brake pads, and a package of false eyelashes. There was the usual clothing, bottles, cans, and fast food trash.

Clearing trash along Hoy Trail just north of Barnet Highways.

Along Scott Creek on Runnel Drive.

Native Plants Added to Riparian Area of Hoy Creek

View fullsize

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.

View fullsize

(Photo: HSWS)

Chum salmon eggs incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery after two-year lull

View fullsize

Photo: HSWS on Oct. 31 (HSWS Photo)

Last weekend we had a successful couple of days reaching our Chum salmon broodstock quota thanks to hard-working volunteers and with the added help of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans crew who were out on Monday to conduct a field egg take.

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is currently holding almost 27,000 Chum (as a green egg estimate) and thus we’ve concluded our Chum brood collection.

“Looking ahead we’ll be focusing our efforts on Coho broodstock, and will be seining the fish trap pool,” said hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. “With the current weather we've been experiencing, we are hopeful to see some fresh coho push in. “

The weekend forecast is calling for clear skies and cooler temps, and this should help for viewing and hopefully catching coho for broodstock. Coho commonly return from late October to mid-December and are not as easy to spot as the chum.

View fullsize

Chum salmon after egg and milt take for broodstock. Fish were returned to the stream. (HSWS Photo)

“We’ve had a huge turnout for viewing this year,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “We’re receiving emails and phone calls. Last weekend Hoy Trail there was a steady flow of families and people enjoying the fall colours and salmon-spotting. The salmon did not disappoint and this year we have seen a great increase in returning chum compared to the last two years.”

Those coming out to view salmon should be mindful that bears have been spotted for several weeks off and on in the Hoy Creek Linear Park and around the hatchery. The City of Coquitlam has put out a map showing optimal places to view salmon with tips about bears. Go to coquitlam.ca/salmoncomehome.

The Society’s chum salmon program was reintroduced at the hatchery in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2015.

Learn more about the salmon we raise HERE. Read our tips for spotting salmon.

Check out other photos and video on our Facebook page.

View fullsize

Eggs being weighed and counted in Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Above, a full grown chum salmon lies dead in Hoy Creek after completing its lifecycle, while the young coho fry swim about. As the body begins to breakdown, its particles will release and nourish other fish life, birds, insects and the riparian area (plants on the banks) of the stream – thus completing a cycle of life.

New signage for Hoy Creek Linear Park

New interpretational signage by Hoy Creek Hatchery providing information about the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam for prioritizing the Hoy Creek Linear Park as an area that not only supports the Hoy Creek Hatchery but also gets a lot of foot traffic from those that use the trail to shortcut to Walton Elementary, Douglas College, Pinetree Secondary, or the SkyTrain to name just a few.

The trail supports these connections but is also a beautiful green space for people to get exercise, walk their dogs, or simply unwind and melt into nature.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society had been working with the City discussing updating of the signage but were very surprised as to the end result.

“Not only do we have beautiful trailhead markers so people can now identify entrances to the Hoy Creek Linear Park,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell, “but we love the interpretational signage around the trail closest to the hatchery area and into the deep part of the woods which educate the trail users as to local fauna, fish that live in the stream, forest life, the history of the hatchery, the work of the Society and more.”

New trailhead markers thanks to the City of Coquitlam

Kaleidoscope Arts Festival Visits Hoy Creek Hatchery

View fullsize

Puppeteers exposed and not exposed at the Hoy Creek Hatchery Optimist Rearing Pond on Oct. 3.

City of Coquitlam moved their Kaleidoscope Arts Festival out into the community this year, and Hoy Creek Hatchery was one of the locations for their four community programs on Oct. 3.

Residents experienced arts and culture all taking place at the same time on the same day.

The deck outside the hatchery’s rearing pond was the setting for Stories by the Stream, a story-telling and puppet show with an ecological-theme hosted by J Peachy and friends.

“We really appreciate this opportunity to have our hatchery as a venue,” said the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Robbin Whachell. “Many people are unaware of our location or of the jewel behind Douglas College, the Hoy Creek Linear Park.”

Stories by the Stream was enjoyed in three pre-registered time-slots, in safe physically-distanced small groups.

View fullsize

Maya Uno, the Society’s youth leader stands near the info booth for participants to learn about the local stream keepers in Coquitlam.

Thank you City of Coquitlam for showcasing our location.

Tips on Placing Painted Stones Along Our Trails

Stone in tree along Hoy Trail, Coquitlam

These have been challenging times with the COVID-19 epidemic. The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society appreciates the pressures put on parents and children to remain active, and we have enjoyed spotting many painted stones along the watershed trails which we began noticing around the Easter weekend.

Since then there has been an increase, and we expect to see more and take delight that families are enjoying the forest while leaving a painted stone behind to be marveled upon by the next passerby.

That said we do find concern in the number of stones now being spotted in our creeks. Please enjoy your walks, and also take this opportunity to teach your children about the wonders and fragility of our ecosystem.

View fullsize

Painted stones and trash collected from Hoy Creek

We’d like to offer a few tips about painted stones that could help our forests and our creek-life:

• Ensure the paint you use is non-toxic

• Do not use glitters or sparkles

• Do not use stickers

• Place your stone away from waterways. (You may have placed your stone along the trail, but someone may toss it into the creek if it’s a ‘stone’s throw away.’)

If we can ensure we’re all doing our best to protect nature, we’ll get twice as much enjoyment from walking our trails and finding these wonderful stones left by unknown and well-intended woodland fairies!

View fullsize

A stone seen within the creek. This particular stone was removed from a Society volunteer and placed along the trail. It was seen back in the creek two days later.

View fullsize

Enjoy painting stones, but please think of our fish and our environment. Thank you!

Knotweed Along Hoy Trail Requires Proper Treatment to Be Contained

View fullsize

Signs mounted by the City of Coquitlam in the effected area along Hoy Trail

We'd like to thank the unknown citizen/s who took time to work on hacking down, cutting and uprooting the invasive Knotweed along Hoy Trail north of the hatchery and adjacent to Walton Elementary. Unfortunately, what this person/s did not realize is that they were actually making the matter worse, as the plant spreads through root and stem fragments.

We appreciate concerns because Knotweed is one tough invasive!

“Knotweeds’ vigorous rhizome growth can damage concrete walls, pavement, bridge and building foundations, drainage works and flood prevention structures (Global Invasive Species Database 2017), and cause erosion of shorelines. Knotweeds can also affect motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian safety by blocking sightlines and signs along roads, highways, trails, and other transportation routes. Dense thickets can increase concerns about personal security in parks (Yong 2017). They can also be a nuisance for aquatic recreationalists frequenting lakes, streams, or rivers as uncontrolled infestations can impede access.”

The work of uprooting and cutting this plant into pieces was only giving it more opportunity to spread. The city’s parks department was called in to remove the cuttings and roots left in piles along the trail. Knotweed has to be disposed of properly to thwart its growth at the site and potentially elsewhere where it is being disposed to.

“Knotweeds spread by rhizomes, which can extend up to 3 metres deep and 20 metres wide. These expansive rhizomes are much larger than expected for a plant of its size, making knotweeds even more challenging to manage. New plants sprout from fragments of root and stem material. Even very small fragments (0.7 grams or more) of the rhizomes or stems can regenerate, which enables knotweeds to spread very easily and effectively. Buried rhizomes can regenerate from depths of 1 metre or more. One common cause of spread is Best Management Practices for Knotweed Species in the Metro Vancouver Region 5 from unauthorized dumping of cut or dug knotweed in green spaces or natural areas.”

View fullsize

Uprooted and cut knotweed along Hoy Trail.

The Society would like to thank the City of Coquitlam for cleaning up the site and properly disposing of the remains, as well as erecting signs in the area to help educate the public.

View fullsize

Should you have a concern about an invasive within our parks you should contact the City of Coquitlam.

Learn more about the invasive species, Knotweed HERE from the City of Coquitlam. More information at BC Invasives HERE.

View fullsize

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society cancels all public activities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cancelled all Saturday work sessions, all in-person meetings and hatchery tours or open houses until further notice.

Updates will be provided on the Society website and the Society Facebook page when there is certainty as to whether our Salmon Leave Home event and our annual general meeting will go ahead or be cancelled.

Please note that we are still seeking nominations for directors, vice president, and secretary. If you are interested in putting your name forward or want to nominate someone else (with their approval), please email your nomination to hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com.

Feel free to also email us with any questions or concerns.

Stay safe, and enjoy the watershed!

Robbin Whachell
President,
Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

Salmon Hatchery Manager Opening in Coquitlam

Hoy Creek Hatchery is located east of Douglas College David Lam campus in Coquitlam, along Hoy Trail.

(APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED — Thank you for your interest. If you’d like to volunteer with us, click our “Get Involved'“ button)

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) in Coquitlam, B.C. is seeking a fish hatchery manager. The individual will be trained by the current hatchery manager, Rodney Lee starting mid-September 2019 and will eventually assume the managing activities at the hatchery. No previous experience is needed, just reliability, an interest in fish and an appetite for learning and ability to coordinate.

This role will train in all aspects of managing the hatchery including broodstock collection, egg takes, equipment operation and maintenance, egg incubation and caring for the alevins and fry.

Interested persons should provide a brief essay stating interest, previous experience (if any) and why you would like this role. Please note that all volunteers working at the Hoy Creek Hatchery are members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society. This is a volunteer position.

Responsibilities:

• Learn how the hatchery operates

• Learn how to start-up and maintain equipment

• Learn about salmon and primarily the 2 species we will be incubating - Chum and Coho

• Learn how to capture and care for broodstock

• Learn about and conduct the egg-take and fertilization process.

• Learn about and maintain biosecurity protocol for the facility.

• Assist with weekly and season maintenance activities

• Assist with the care and feeding of all generations of fish

• Assist with fish length and weight sampling including started fish health calculations

• Assist with taking water quality measurements

• Assist with operation of the rearing pond including the operation of the lower pond and outlet weir.

• Learn about aquaculture in the context of the Salmon Enhancement Program through Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

• Assist with planning and execution of fish marking (adipose clipping).

• Assist with transport and release of surplus Coho fry to Upper Hoy and Upper Scott if necessary.

• Provide a brief hatchery update to HSWS executive for monthly meetings (Sept. – June)

• Assist at our public events: Salmon Come Home (October); Salmon Leave Home (May)

• Act as the backup for the current hatchery manager, Rodney Lee until able to resume full responsibility as a hatchery manager.

Time commitment: Hours vary but would typically require at least 3 hours one morning per week September through June. Training would take place on Saturday mornings. This commitment starts with preparatory work for the broodstock capturing season and goes through to fin-clipping and transfer to the hatchery rearing pond; to the annual release of smolts in May. Summer months are less busy. The selected candidate must be available to attend to hatchery duties as they arise and needs vary a lot in the season. Living relatively close to the hatchery is a necessity.

Communication: Needs to be available by cell phone and text message as a primary means of communication. Email is secondary.

Benefits of the position:

• 1 year free training from current manager of 11 years

• Opportunity to learn from the Department of Fisheries staff to support one of the most significant sub-watersheds in the Coquitlam River watershed

• Development opportunities available, including attendance at Pacific Streamkeepers Federation workshops / SEP conference

• Rewarding work with a fun, friendly, committed group of volunteers

• Volunteering looks great on a resume!

Please email the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society with questions or to state your interest in this role: hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com.

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. Learn more at our website: hoyscottcreeks.org

Salmon Come Home a Success Despite Lack of Fish

The twenty-sixth annual Salmon Come Home event was a huge success as over 2000 people attended the environmentally focused festival to celebrate the return of salmon at Hoy Creek Hatchery on October 21.

Despite no sightings of mature salmon in the stream due to the long dry spell prior to the event, the crowds had much to ponder as it relates to the protection of our local habitat.

Exhibitors included Articipation (John Lewis), Burke Mountain Naturalists, City of Coquitlam (Urban Wildlife, Waste Reduction and Water Conservation), Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable, Coquitlam Riverwatch, Friends of DeBoville Slough, Kintec, Maple Creek Watershed Streamkeepers, Vancity Pinetree Branch, 13th Burnaby Venturers Scouts, and St. John Ambulance.

The event, which is co hosted with the City of Coquitlam opened with words from Ed Hall of Kwikwetlem First Nation.

Children’s entertainer, Angela Brown provided stories and had little ones and parents dressed up in costumes of animals, insects and birds for parades and storytelling in her giant inflatable salmon.

The Wil D. Salmon show featured the sounds of local entertainers Zoey Levin, Etienne Siew, Julia DePieri, and Joyelle Brandt.

The society provided tours of the hatchery and hourly salmon education talks with founding member, Chris Hamming and hatchery manager, with Rodney Lee.

HSWS founding member, Chris Hamming. Presented with a gift by HSWS secretary, Emily Rossi

The highlight of the day was a special presentation to Chris Hamming for his years of service to Hoy-Scott Watershed Society.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who assisted with event setup, take-down, face painting and games, mascots and more. Special thanks to the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, Vancity, and Fisheries & Oceans Canada.

Since the event, the rains have returned and both coho and chum salmon are now returning to Hoy and Scott Creeks. Prime viewing of returning salmon is usually from mid-October to early November.

“The watershed is a beautiful place to explore nature, Everyone is encouraged to take time to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle at any of the local creeks, most of which run through public spaces and are accessible to everyone.

Wil D Salmon and singer Etienne Siew

Hoy Creek Hatchery is home to 5000 young coho housed in the outdoor rearing pond which will be released in May 2019 at Salmon Leave Home. Hoy Trail offers a beautiful walk featuring towering trees and active bird life. You can watch for the great blue heron that fishes at Hoy Creek near the hatchery most evenings.

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is in Hoy Creek Linear Park, west of the City Centre Aquatic Complex (Pinetree and Guildford Way), and is a seven-minute walk from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain Station.

Visitors can walk in from a variety of locations: from Princess Crescent, from behind Douglas College; from Guildford Way (between Johnson and Pinetree), from Walton Avenue or behind Walton Elementary, or from the foot of Lasalle Place.

View EVENT PHOTO ALBUM on Facebook.

Follow the Society on their Facebook page.