A sincere thanks to all who assisted with the fish count this year – it was certainly a unique and challenging one, but always helpful to get a sense of what’s happening in our beloved creek.
Smolts
The final tally was 16 smolts and 54 fry, for a total of 70 fish. This number is very low, but is likely an undercount based on unusual water conditions this year. We suspect that some of the fish counted as fry were, in fact, smolts, as this year’s smolts were quite small in comparison to previous years. The attached photo shows two smolts, measuring just 7-9 cm each – barely larger than a typical fry at 4-5 cm.
In addition, the fence overflowed on 12 sampling days out of 50, or about 25% of the time, which likely led to some fish bypassing the trap. This was very unusual with heavy rains, cold weather, and late migration of smolts. We normally see most smolts migrate by the 3rd week of May, but were still seeing the odd smolt in the trap last week, so perhaps there are a few more still making their way down. All of those factors lead us to believe that our number totals are likely a significant undercount, and hopefully next year will prove us right!
Thanks again for all your fine work to support fish counting this year. Despite the low numbers and extra work to keep the fence clear, we hope you had some fun and will be game to pull your boots on again in 2023. As always, if you have questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send our way via the BCWS website.
Smolt Measurements
Happy summer (whenever it gets here)! 😉
Bill, on behalf of the BCWS group.
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This summer of 2022 will be a busy one for Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society. We were successful in two grant applications with Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) and received over $40,000 in total. The funds will be used to make repairs to the fish ladder located at Balmoral Avenue and to undertake habitat restoration work on Birkdale Farm in a section just below Anderton Avenue.
These projects were identified as high priority in the Level 1 Fish Habitat Assessment undertaken last year, again using funds from PSF. We are thrilled to have these projects funded. Current Environmental Ltd., a local biological consulting firm, will oversee the work. Our local DFO Community Advisor, Laura Terry, is supportive of the projects and will provide advise as needed.
Most of the work will occur in the summer months during low water. We will notify volunteers when we will need assistance to plant native species in the riparian areas and other projects.
Should you have any questions regarding these projects, send us a note.
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Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society received funding from Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2021 to undertake a Level One Fish Assessment of the stream from Anderton Road down to the mouth. Below is the report from Current Environmental Ltd. We are very pleased with the caliber and level of detail in the report as it provides a blueprint for future restoration activities.
We are still awaiting further information to be provided by a hydrological engineering firm regarding water flows. We will post their report when it becomes available.
– There have been numerous sightings of coho in Brooklyn Creek this fall, a couple as far upstream as Salish Park. This is good news. If you haven’t seen it, there are several photos and videos posted on the BCWS website.
A couple items to cover:
– you may recall an article in Decafnation regarding the sewage in Brooklyn Creek at Noel Ave. This was discovered by biologist staff from Current Environmental Ltd, a local biological consulting firm. They were conducting a Fish Habitat Assessment, a project funded by Pacific Salmon Foundation through BCWS. The sewage leak was identified on Thursday Sept. 2 around noon. That afternoon DFO, the provincial environmental hotline, and the Town of Comox were notified.
Current Environmental staff set up an isolation area and undertook mitigation by Friday noon. The Town identified the source of the spill, at Hillside but only daylights at Noel, by Friday afternoon and made their plans for a repair. All cleanup was completed by Friday evening, just before the September long weekend. Unfortunately, some of the riparian vegetation planted by volunteers in 2018 were removed in the process. We hope to replant the vegetation in the near future. In the meantime, we’re eagerly awaiting the final report from the Fish Habitat Assessment as it will guide future habitat restoration projects.
– On Oct. 20, BCWS made a presentation to the Town of Comox Council, asking they examine opportunities to have a walking path along the entire length of Brooklyn Creek within Town limits, from Guthrie to the mouth of the creek. At a subsequent Council meeting, Town Council agreed to add this to their list of initiatives. We hope this will move forward in the coming months.
– The Directors of BCWS, all 5 of us, are meeting this coming week. If you would like to join us, please let me know and I will provide details. We would love to see you.
Thank you.
Christine Hodgson
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Plenty of reports of Coho in the creek have come in this Fall of 2021. Video below (taken at Cedar Avenue bridge, Comox, Nov. 8) show a large red male salmon fighting off other males interested in the female. Also several female Coho salmon digging trenches for their eggs. But mostly fighting amongst the males – size matters!
Female coho in Brooklyn Creek.
Video on Nov. 8, 2021, length 10 minutes, at 1:11 a trout (?) enters the scene and passes through…
Video sent in by Steve Petrowsky of Comox, BC, November 18, 2021:
Video taken on November 20, 2021:
(coming soon)
Do you have photos or videos to show salmon in Brooklyn Creek? We would love to post them to show that there ARE salmon using the creek. Your name can be published or hidden, please say which you prefer. Use a polaroid filter (sunglasses work) to gain clearer images. Contact us here or webmaster here: .
These photos and videos were taken near the Balmoral Ave. fish ladder in Brooklyn Creek, Comox, from September 20 to 25, 2021. There had been a tremendous heavy rain on Friday the 17th of 56mm, which encouraged the pink salmon to swim upstream. It’s rewarding to see salmon in the creek! Best viewed on laptop or computer.
Sept. 20, 2021:
Video shows 8 pink salmon in the pool at the bottom of the fish ladder:
After recording the above video, I noticed several dead salmon downstream, and started to photo and count them – some (7) had been partially eaten, some (5) were whole fish, for a total of 12 dead. I went back a few days later and it was hard to find these dead fish, they just disappeared. With no rainfall or increase in the creek’s water level, it’s difficult to figure where the dead fish had gone. Click to enlarge the following photos of the dead salmon found September 21st:
Whole salmon
Whole pink salmon
Just a remaining tail
Salmon tail
Two eaten pink salmon tails
Whole pink salmon not eaten.
Partially eaten pink salmon on the side bank
Eaten pink salmon
Whole pink salmon beside brown leaf.
One whole salmon, one eaten salmon.
Sept. 25
Later in the week, I returned to find NO alive fish, and lots of evidence of salmon having been eaten (by racoons I assume, see the photo of the footprints). There were zero live fish in the pond that had eight swimming a few days earlier. I looked upstream and downstream in the usual fish holding haunts but nothing to be seen.
Pink salmon eggs from spawning or from being eaten. At fish ladder pond. Another left-over fish tail at top.
Animal scat on the right and salmon fish egg cluster on the left. Evidence of salmon having being eaten.
Closeup of salmon egg cluster beside creek.
Spawned? and rotting.
Pink salmon tail
Racoon (?) footprints appearing beside creek at the same location.
Hard cartilage from salmon
Remainder of salmon (tail) with scattered pink salmon roe, and animal scat to right side.
Remains of pink salmon
Salmon pieces – tail, jaw, fins.
Possible pectoral fin remnants
If you see fish or wildlife in or around the creek, let us know, it’s always interesting to see what is going on in this urban environment.
Submitted by Alan Pattinson
BCWS Webmaster
Copyright 2021
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Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society recently received funds from the Pacific Salmon Foundation to conduct a Fish Habitat Assessment of Brooklyn Creek. The focus will be on the creek from Anderton and downstream. Current Environmental Ltd., a local biological consulting firm, will undertake the work on behalf of BCWS. Below is a notice distributed to homeowners that border Brooklyn Creek.
This project is the first part of a larger study, to conduct a Fish Habitat Assessment of the entire length of Brooklyn Creek. BCWS will apply for additional funds in late October to complete the project.
If you would like to become a Director for BCWS and assist in this important project, we’d like to hear from you! Contact us now.
Brooklyn Creek and the surrounding watershed support the spawning habits of Coho and Chum salmon.
In the fall, mature salmon spawn in the gravel beds and their eggs hatch the following spring. The young Chum salmon return almost immediately to the ocean, while young Coho (called Smolts) spend one year rearing in freshwater before migrating to the ocean.
Coho Smolts
Two smolts being counted and quickly released unharmed back into creek.
The Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society conducts Smolt counts at this location each April to June. The fence, pipe and box you see in this creek are used to assist us in gathering data to enhance the watershed and promote a healthy salmon lifecycle. All data collected is provided to DFO Stock Assessment Division.
Each day trained members conduct a Smolt count in which they inspect the equipment and record the number and species of fish in the box before releasing them unharmed back into the creek to continue their migration to the ocean.
Diversion dam to temporarily direct smolts into counting box.
Please do not go near the box.
If you have any questions or there appears to be a problem with the equipment contact:
Christine 250 339-7674 or Laura Terry, DFO Community Advisor 250 327-8391
I’m sure many of you noticed the signs along Brooklyn Creek this past year posting a $200 reward for anyone who could “capture” a spawning coho in Brooklyn Creek. It seems that many people who haven’t actually seen a fish in the Creek have difficulty believing they exist. Hence, Frank Young, a former Director of Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society, proposed a reward be posted for anyone who can demonstrate the existence of coho in the Creek through videography or photography.
Passionate about the positive influence such a project would have on the community, Young himself put up the funds for the reward and the production of the signs. He felt that demonstration of their existence through documentation was a way to bring attention to the value of the stream and surrounding watershed to nature.
Congratulations to Jack Van Delft for his video submission of a spawning coho in Salish Park. The video is posted below and all entries are posted here: http://brooklyncreek.ca/entries/. Subsequent to his submission, several more people submitted their photos, as shown on this page. We thank everyone who took an interest in this project and we hope to repeat it again next year.
There were 9 submissions to the 2019-2020 Coho Photo Contest. The winner received $200 and there was a runner up who received $50. Be sure to watch for another contest by getting on our email list!
Nov. 24, 2020 Subject: Spawning Salmon in Brooklyn Creek
Hi there, I realize that the photo contest is now over, but I wanted to share an exciting photo that I took at 10am Mon Nov 23, 2020. This salmon was spotted heading downstream just north of Balmoral near the base of the stairs, by the drainway that runs under the road. It looked to be red coloured, 15-18″ long, was quite active and merrily continued it’s way back to the ocean. I have to say this made my day! I hope it brightens yours too.
Cheers, Wendy
Nov. 7, 2020 Subject: Coho have returned to Brooklyn this year – one in Salish Park reach To: I saw salmon activity in Salish Park on Thursday so after a broad search of the creek yesterday (Friday), I saw just the same single ~6 pound (probably female coho – definitely not chum) roaming the long pool between the large footpath culvert at SE trail entrance to the Park and the next rapid downstream. I could not get a photo as Coho are very skittish until after they are spawned out and exhausted. I have not seen any adult Coho in Brooklyn for 3 years now (saw only one spawning pair plus one lone female in Salish Park reach plus a couple lone males downstream three years ago) and I’ve noticed they often pool up in the Salish Park reach until they pair up with a mate and then spawn within the same reach (on those gravel beds installed by your volunteer work parties – good job!!!). I have personally observed the pair 3 years ago as they dug a hole and spawned just above the top end of the rapid located at the upstream terminal end of that same footpath (again, on one of the installed gravel beds you folks put in). I observed no males in there this year – from what I’ve seen I believe Brooklyn runs are reduced to just a single remaining year or two cycle runs (all other year cycles have no returning adults) and those are nearly totally extirpated too. If it were up to me, I’d collude with a local hatchery and capture the lone female for egg harvest using male milt from any other run to raise smolt at a hatchery for release in Brooklyn, otherwise this may very sadly be the last spawn runs we ever see in that system. From: LD
(No photo sent in)
5 Feb 2020 I have 4 photos, not too clear, but you can decide. There were all taken in 2016 just downstream from where the path from Mac Laing Court comes down to the creek. Ellen
Nov. 19, 2020 Subject: Salmon photo Brooklyn creek To: Hi here is a photo I took on nov 19th at 12:30 ish I don’t know if I can share location. Jesse SELECTED TO WIN A RUNNER-UP PRIZE OF $50.00.
Jesse did an excellent idea of screen-shooting his phone to show location.
Nov. 15, 2020 Subject: Salmon in Brooklyn To: Hello, Attached are 2 photos and a video. I have a longer video showing the whole bridge if you need it. Thanks, Emily.
Nov. 6, 2020 Subject: Coho video/photo competition I was walking on Brooklyn creek today and saw a female and a male coho making there redds. As you can see in the video. Let me know if this is sufficient or you want a photo which I could get tomorrow. Thanks regards Jack THE WINNING ENTRY.
Mar. 19, 2020 Subject: Hatchling Snap Hello All: You are doing great work. We love the creek and the setting. No big salmon around, but I did snap one of the hatchlings. Andy B
25 Oct 2019 Subject: Salmon in creek To: Just FYI – I did see a large salmon in the creek last night! I tried to take pics and video however it was dark and I had a dog on a leash that wanted to swim…it was below the bridge at Cedar. I’ll describe it as “two pools down” from the bridge. At the bottom of the big sweeping property -there’s a small flat on the trail side of the stream. Maybe someone would be down that way today and have a good look! It was splashing in the running water trying to keep moving upstream!! Quite exciting to see. Thanks for all the work! I’ll attach my horrible almost completely black video just for the fun of it. Coleen
(Despite it being dark, the salmon is visible near the end of the video)
Nov 9, 2019 Subject: Fish Not a picture. And not all that clear. But a video taken at Brooklyn Creek on November 23rd last year (I believe the two fish were in the stretch of creek between Cedar and Balsam). If it’s at all usable for your purposes feel free to take it (no need to pay or attribute me). Best, Jamie
Dec. 14 2019 Subject: Salmon To: Hi, I know this photo is of a dead salmon not free swimming as the poster ask for but I thought you’d like the evidence anyway. I run the trails weekly and this is the first evidence I’ve seem this year. A couple years back I saw about 10 or so swimming up the creek. Thanks for all the work you do protecting this creek and the wildlife it supports. Amelia
Videos of spawning salmon on November 19, 20 and 21, 2020.
November 19, location was about 150 feet below the Balmoral Avenue fish ladder.
Snapshot taken from video.
The salmon (red sided) swims slowly in the pond area and then darts DOWN the creek. Watch closely as it turns and swims down the rapids, on the left side of the screen. Credit: Alan Pattinson
November 20 location about 300 feet below the Cedar Avenue bridge. Credit: Alan Pattinson
November 21 location at about 300 feet below the Cedar Avenue bridge. Credit: Alan Pattinson
If you have good photos or videos of the Brooklyn Creek salmon, send them along to us and we will post them on the website. Credit can be given to you if you want. Email to: .
Town of Comox – A ‘Beacon of Hope’ for Citizen Science in Action & Reconnecting Hydrology and Ecology through the Water Balance Approach
to Land Development. This was a presentation by Christine Hodgson at the Water Sustainability Conference held in Parksville, B.C. in April 2019.
British Columbia is at a tipping point. Will local governments bridge the gap between policy and new standards of practice, reconnect hydrology and ecology, create greener communities, and adapt to climate change?
The Partnership has identified Comox as a beacon of hope because the Town’s experience shows what is possible when a local government has a strong working relationship with the stewardship sector, and leads by example to implement responsible water balance management.
The Town’s journey comprises three building blocks. Over the past decade, experience gained and lessons learned through the Lower Brooklyn Creek channel enhancement project and Northeast Comox land development planning process have been integrated into the Draft Anderton Corridor Neighbourhood Concept Plan for Middle Brooklyn Creek.
The Draft Anderton Corridor Concept Plan is precedent-setting because it demonstrates how application of the Ecological Accounting Process (EAP) approach helps managers change practices and adopt new strategies regarding the protection and enhancement of ecological systems in the stream corridor and riparian zone, and throughout the entire creekshed.
The Town is reconnecting hydrology and ecology by embarking on a systems approach on all levels. The approach includes amending bylaws, training staff, educating the development community and homeowners, creating new procedures, and formalizing roles and responsibilities.
By taking action to reconnect hydrology and ecology, Comox is moving along a pathway that ultimately leads to a water-resilient future where flood and drought risks would be reduced, and ecological services would be sustained.
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Thank you to all BCWS volunteers who came out on such short notice last Saturday, December 14, 2019. We were quick and efficient and we planted over 120 plants in less than 2 hours in the area where extensive work was done around the creek south of Noel Avenue, Comox. Your hard work and dedication to Brooklyn Creek is very much appreciated!
A special thank you to Rupert and Caitlin of Current Environmental for managing activities and to Parks Manager Al Fraser of Town of Comox. Al is retiring as of the end of December. BCWS has been so fortunate to have had a wonderful cooperative arrangement with both Al and Rupert over the years. All the best to Al as he embarks on his new career, ‘Retirement’!
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We hope to have a similar contest soon, get on the email list to keep up with our news: Subscribe.
REWARD: BROOKLYN CREEK SALMON PHOTO
The Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society (BCWS) is sponsoring a photo reward. We know from experience that salmon are here in the spring as little smolts and in the fall as adult spawning fish several years later. However, many neighbours and visitors have never witnessed the adult salmon returning to the creek.
We are offering a cash award of $200.00 for a clear picture of adult coho salmon in Brooklyn Creek.
Sign posters Brooke and Dave Gronemeyer, photo by team captain Frank Young.
The contest ends when a suitable photo or video has been chosen from submissions by email to:
(removed). You will be given credit as the photographer as well as the monetary reward. By sending your submission you agree to allow it to be posted on this website.
We need to see a clear photograph of free-swimming (unhooked) adult coho salmon swimming and/or jumping rapids or the fish-ladder in Brooklyn Creek. We also need evidence that this picture was actually taken here, so we need a background that can be identified as Brooklyn Creek. We recommend using a polaroid lens to see better into the water. Hint: putting your polaroid sunglasses in front of your camera lens can work.
Coho in Brooklyn Creek Nov2019 (dead) not accepted in 2019 contest.
We have a November 2019 submission (see photo) that was a dead coho, not accepted for this contest. However, it was proof that coho are in the creek!
JOINT NEWS RELEASE – September 23, 2019 Town of Comox precedents are working examples of what “reconnecting hydrology and ecology” looks like in practice.
Comox experience shows what is possible when a local government has a strong working relationshipwith the stewardship sector, and leads by example to implement responsible water balance management. This is a key message in Town of Comox – A ‘Beacon of Hope’, a Watershed Case Profile document released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC at the meeting of Comox Council on September 11.
“The Town’s story comprises three building blocks. Over the past decade, experience gained and lessons learned through the Lower Brooklyn Creek channel enhancement project and Northeast Comox land development planning process have been integrated into the Draft Anderton Corridor Neighbourhood Concept Plan for Middle Brooklyn Creek,” observed Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director.
“Along the way, the Town of Comox has established three provincial firsts.
1) Changed engineering practice and implemented the Water Balance Methodology in Northeast Comox to reduce downhill risk.
2) Became the first demonstration application for testing EAP, the Ecological Accounting Process, for valuation of the Brooklyn Creek corridor. 3) Changed the Draft Anderton Corridor Neighbourhood Concept Plan in mid-project to enhance the ‘Package of Ecological Services’,” he added.
“The ecological services within Brooklyn Creek are integral components of the Town’s core services of rainwater management, parks and fish habitat protection. Once the Town switched to viewing ecological services as core municipal services, we then asked ourselves: how can we do things better? “The Draft Anderton Corridor Neighbourhood Concept Plan is the result,” stated Mayor Russ Arnott.
“The Town is reconnecting hydrology and ecology by embarking on a systems approach on all levels. The approach includes amending bylaws, training staff, educating the development community and homeowners, creating new procedures, and formalizing roles and responsibilities.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CONTACT: Partnership for Water Sustainability – Kim Stephens, Executive Director or 604-817-4657
