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.

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)