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HSWS Team: Anne, Kyle, Robbin, Tyler
Thanks to the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for hosting the annual streamkeepers roundtable on March 11 at the YMCA in Coquitlam.
The meeting was attended by salmon stewards from Chilliwack to the Sunshine Coast!
It was a wonderful opportunity to share our experiences, challenges, and successes which was valuable and inspiring.
Hosted by Stoney Creek
Streamkeepers from around BC
Hyde Creek's Mitch and Helen (far left and far right) hosted Hoy/Scott Watershed Society team (L–R) Robbin, Matt, Anne and Tyler.
On February 17, several members of the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society had the opportunity to visit the Hyde Creek Watershed Society's salmon hatchery in Port Coquitlam. The visit not only provided an up-close look at the facilities and operations of our neighbouring hatchery but also fostered an exchange of knowledge and ideas about salmon rearing practices and water usage.
As advocates for environmental stewardship, both organizations recognize the critical role of salmon in our local ecosystem and the need to actively contribute to their conservation and population management. This shared commitment made the visit even more meaningful as it allowed for a fruitful exchange of insights and experiences.
During the tour, members from both societies discussed the meticulous care and attention required to ensure the health and vitality of the fish. From egg incubation to the nurturing of smolt, each step in the hatchery’s operation highlighted the dedication and expertise of the staff and volunteers in preserving the salmon population.
Hyde Creek Hatchery’s use of well water shed light on innovative approaches to water conservation and efficiency, ultimately contributing to the sustainable management of the watershed.
Walk along Hyde Creek in Port Coquitlam
The visit underscored the interconnectedness of our efforts in preserving the salmon and their habitat. By coming together, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other's experiences, we strengthen our collective impact on environmental conservation.
The visit served as a reminder that, through collaboration and knowledge exchange, we can make a significant difference in the health and sustainability of our watersheds.
We extend our gratitude to the Hyde Creek Watershed Society for their warm hospitality. Our visit reaffirmed our commitment to the preservation of our natural environment and the crucial role that partnerships and collaboration play in achieving this goal.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to work closely with our neighbouring watershed societies and local communities to promote the well-being of our precious salmon and their habitats.
The beautiful second floor of Hyde Creek Hatchery has a library, covered deck, washrooms, kitchen and meeting area.
Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard, and assistant manager, Anne Woosnam shovel gravel off the trailer donated on Feb. 17 (HSWS photo)
We would like to express our gratitude to Heidelberg Materials North America for their recent donation of gravel, and to High Definition Concrete Ltd. for the use of their trailer.
Community support plays a crucial role in the success of our organization, and these generous contributions are greatly appreciated. Without the support of local businesses and community members, completing essential work projects can be a significant challenge for us.
The donations made on February 17 will aid us in our ongoing efforts to clean and repair failing infrastructure at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. Contributions such as these, enable us to continue our important work in salmon conservation and habitat preservation.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and effort to the cause. Their hard work and commitment have been invaluable in advancing our projects and maintaining the momentum of our initiatives.
Once again, a sincere thank you to Heidelberg Materials North America and High Definition Concrete Ltd., and all of our dedicated volunteers for their invaluable support and contributions. Together, we are making a significant and positive impact on our environment, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build a more sustainable future for the Hoy and Scott Watersheds.
Matt, Suzz and Annie help with gravel offloading to fill an area behind the Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam. (HSWS photo)
No photo was available of the spill on Feb. 15. This photo is from a PREVIOUS spill at the same location.
Unfortunately, yet another paint spill has been reported in Hoy Creek. This time, the incident was observed at the inflow area off Walton Ave. The City of Coquitlam responded to the call, dispatching staff from the Sewer & Drainage and Environment departments to investigate the situation.
According to the City's report, the call came in around 12:30 pm on Feb. 15, with the caller describing a cloudy, white substance in the creek. Upon arrival, staff took turbidity and pH samples at the outfall, which indicated that the creek was within normal water quality ranges. Flowlink data also showed normal turbidity and pH values, and fish were sighted swimming near the outfall. Furthermore, the cloudy substance had dissipated within 30 minutes.
Upon visual inspection, staff suspected the discharge to be a diluted latex-paint substance. Despite efforts to locate the source, including a patrol through the catchment area and inspection of catch basins, no paint source could be identified. Additionally, no newly painted homes were observed in the vicinity.
Call for Public Reporting
The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society urges the public to report any spills or unusual odors near waterways. If you witness a spill or detect something unusual, please report it promptly to the proper authorities. For contact information, please visit the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society's website's contact page.
Our spawner survey crew recently got some hands on experience with bio sampling salmon carcasses. (HSWS photo)
Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Rodney Lee led our spawner survey for 2023.
Seven of our volunteers assisted in 13 surveys and put in a total of 40.5 hours.
Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense of the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Participants walk in chest waders in and around the stream including stepping over fallen trees, walking on in-stream rocks and muddy banks, and crouching under overhanging tree branches to identify salmon species targeting chum and coho but occasionally other species (chinook, pink) may have been seen.
The weekly survey area was the stretch of Hoy Creek from the Johnson St. pool (between Glen and Guildford) to Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam and statistics were taken from October through to January.
Here are the survey details which provide totals of carcasses for chum and coho, as well as peak live counts. We have compared them to our 2021 and 2022 results in the chart below.
Volunteers measure the salmon and record findings. (HSWS photo)
*Please note that this exercise is not a population estimate and annual results can be affected by several factors including weather patterns.
NOTE: Should you see salmon in the creek that have been cut in half, or have the tail or head cut off, from October through December that could mean those salmon have been marked for the annual Salmon Spawner Survey. We count live and dead fish weekly in a designated stretch of the stream. The dead salmon are cut as to not double count the dead fish the next week. This helps get an absolute count of salmon that have spawned in a particular area of a stream.
Matthew Watts and Tyler Storgaard working in the incubation room at Hoy Creek Hatchery preparing the eggs.
It was another busy broodstock season for the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society at the Hoy Creek Hatchery as salmon began to return to stream in October. Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard reports the following:
Our Chum are developing past the eyed stage and we have 13,684 in incubation.
For Coho, we did just lose a tray not due to fungus or outbreak, but due to a single female that was not viable. Currently, we have a green egg estimate of 13,655 – the final enumeration to be completed at the shocking stage which is likely to occur in early 2024.
Thanks to all the volunteers who supported these activities, and to our daily feeders who monitor and maintain our equipment.
Egg renumeration. Hoy Creek Hatchery.
Coho eggs in the heath tray, Hoy Creek Hatchery.
Coho broodstock
The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is a proud and grateful recipient of the 2023 Spirit of Coquitlam Grant.
"The Spirit of Coquitlam grant supports not-for-profit, community-based organizations that are based in and serving Coquitlam residents. The grant intends to build community spirit by providing funds for public art, sport activities and programs, festivals and events, sport hosting, capital projects, and new initiatives that align with the City’s strategic goals."
The Spirit of Coquitlam grant will be used for equipment for chum and coho salmon monitoring at the Hoy Creek Hatchery and for public outreach.
We would like to formally thank the City of Coquitlam for supporting the safety of our hatchery and staff and for helping to ensure the preservation of our habitats.
Maya Uno speaks to a student of Gleneagle Secondary School.
Thank you to Gleneagle Secondary in Coquitlam for hosting the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society at their Volunteer Fair held on November 24. Special mention to Aiden Lee who extended the invite and is a student of the school and has been a volunteer at the hatchery for many years.
The Society was represented by Maya Uno and Anne Woosnam.
The students had lots of great questions, and the Society relies on student volunteers to help meet its mandate.
Students who are interested in becoming volunteers can review information on our Support page and complete a registration form.
A big thank you to the Ocean Wise 'Youth to Sea' program, who spent a good part of Saturday, November 18 with volunteers of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society learning about the watershed, the Hoy Creek Hatchery operations, and the salmon.
The activities were led by Isaac Nelson, community adviser from the DFO and hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.
"Youth to Sea is a hands-on learning program that endeavours to unite youth to make a difference towards ocean conservation." The youth were led by Ethan Wong of Ocean Wise.
Photos provided by Youth To Sea.
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.
Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001
