What might you see in Stoney Creek?

In Fall and Winter:

1. Large salmon swimming up stream from mid-October through January. They come to lay eggs in the gravel and then die.
2. Carcasses of the dead fish or cut fish that volunteers have placed along the banks. Decaying carcasses release minerals and nutrients and promote invertebrate growth that will serve as a food source for the young fish.
3. You probably won`t see the gravel nests, called `redds`, because they are camouflaged. Dogs and people going in the stream will crush the hidden eggs.

In Spring and Summer

1. Small fish - there are 5 salmon species in Stoney Creek: Coho, Chum, Cutthroat trout, and the occasional Chinook. There are also endangered Nooksack Dace close to the Brunette River.
2. Other wildlife - crayfish, lampreys, and myriad insects.

How can you help?

Fish needs safe passage through the stream and in their spawning beds.

• Keep yourself and dogs from walking in the stream.
• Keep soaps, cleaners, oils, antifreeze, and paints out of your storm drains.
• Wash your car with phosphate-free, biodegradable soaps or use a commercial car wash.
• Attend an information walk or join the Stoney Creek Environment Committee - Phone : 604-420-0771 or email stoneycreek(at)handshake.ca for information.

Life cycle of Coho

Spawn: mid-October to December
Hatch: January to March and live in the creek for a year
Smolts: (1 1/2 year-olds) leave the creek in may to live in the ocean
Return to spawn: 18 months later.

Guidelines for reporting dead wild birds to Government Agencies

What to report to Wildlife Agencies:

1. Groups of 3 or more dead birds (any species) found in the same geographic location.


2. The following individual dead birds:


1. Species at risk


2. Highly susceptible species (swans, ducks)


3. Raptors (eagles, hawks, owls)


4. Water-adapted bird species (waterfowl in general, shorebirds, water-associated birds).

These wild bird mortalities should be reported by calling 1-866-431-BIRD (2473). Reports will be recorded, assessed to determine if further investigation is warranted, and if so, guidance will be provided on a case by case basis. See the info sheet.