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.
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on A Beacon of Hope
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’!
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on Successful Planting Event – Dec, 2019
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
The Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society (BCWS) carries out a coho smolt count every year. Coho fry spend one year in the creek before migrating to salt water as smolts.
Brooklyn Creek flows from Courtenay (Crown Isle) through the CVRD and empties into Comox Bay in the Town of Comox. Though small, it has a viable run of coho salmon and occasional chum salmon, as well as resident and transient cutthroat trout.
We install a smolt fence every year that channels the fish through a pipe into a holding box, where they are counted every morning by volunteers. This year was a bit of a bust. As all residents of the Comox Valley know we have had a remarkably dry spring. Though there was lots of water in April, most smolts don’t start to migrate to the ocean until May. By that time the amount of water in the creek severely affected their ability to move downstream and many of the smolts are stuck in pools. As a result we took down our smolt fence about 3 weeks early since we were not counting any smolts.
Some years we have had a count as high as 3600 smolts travelling out to the ocean, but the median is closer to 1800, a respectable number considering the size of the creek. This year we counted just 181. We hope the smolts are holding upstream in the pools and will migrate when able. There has been some anecdotal evidence of large numbers of smolts holding upstream.
On the bright side, there are many reports of high counts of coho fry in the creek. BCWS thanks all of the volunteers for this year’s smolt count.
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on 2019 Cohoe smolt count results
Assessing the Worth of Ecological Services Using the Ecological Accounting Process for Watershed Assessment, Brooklyn Creek Demonstration Application in the Comox Valley.
Readers will find in this report a demonstration of the Ecological Accounting Process (EAP) as it was applied to the Brooklyn Creek watershed in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. September, 2018.
The Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society has a new fish counting box courtesy of Kris Neilson, a volunteer fish counter. Our old box was falling apart and had many design deficiencies, Kris used his ingenuity and made a new box with the following features:
– marine plywood for the sides, bottom and top, stainless steel hardware and cedar skids to protect the bottom
– a screen that slides down over the pipe entrance and the entrance to the second chamber which prevents fish from swimming back up the pipe or going from chamber to chamber
– the bottom is flush with the screen which will make it much easier to net those frisky smolts.
I know our fish counting volunteers will really appreciate the new design for it will make the task much easier.
Many thanks to Kris Neilson for his hard work!
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on New Fish-Counting Box
In Spring 2018 BCWS was awarded the Comox Valley Project Watershed’s Keeping It Living Award. The honour was bestowed because the “work of the dedicated Brooklyn Creek Watershed volunteers adds a vital chapter to the widespread community effort to restore and protect watersheds and habitat that are part of our K’ómoks Estuary.”
BCWS is thrilled to have received this award. It culminates work that was carried out over a 12-year period – 2005 to 2017 – where BCWS worked with the Town of Comox and Current Environmental Ltd. to improve rearing and spawning habitat for salmon stocks and develop erosion counter measures to stabilize sections of the stream. A secondary goal of the project was to improve pedestrian access within municipal greenways in Comox.
The Directors of BCWS extend their gratitude to Project Watershed for recognizing the work done in the Brooklyn Creek Watershed.
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on Keeping it Living Award
BCWS has initiated a storm drain fish painting activity in the watershed. We did our first trials in Crown Isle area of Courtenay and will be expanding our activity in other areas of the watershed. Thanks to Jack Stevens for taking on the coordination role. The marking of storm drains with the yellow fish is an important reminder to people that what goes down the storm drain on the street goes into Brooklyn Creek.
Anyone (including families and friends) interested in joining the team may join in by contacting BCWS (see Contact Us).
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on Storm Drain Fish Painting
A big thank you to Ed Fudge (one of our many BCWS volunteers) for his generous financial donation. These funds will go towards supporting one of the many enhancement initiatives of BCWS.
Posted inAll Posts|Comments Off on Thanks to Volunteer for Donation
