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August 8, 2025: Annual sediment removal from Stoney Creek Pond
August 8, 2025: Annual sediment removal from Stoney Creek Pond
Just before Stoney Creek flows under Bateman Road and out of the Park, it widens into a large pond. This is the location where the Coho smolts from the Hatchery are released every May. During the high water events caused by winter rains, the Pond fills with sediment.
Just before Stoney Creek flows under Bateman Road and out of the Park, it widens into a large pond. This is the location where the Coho smolts from the Hatchery are released every May. During the high water events caused by winter rains, the Pond fills with sediment.
Subsequently, every August some of the gravel and sand are removed by the City. This year, about 25 truck loads were taken, deepening about half the Pond area and creating a stretch of quiet water for the benefit of last winter's generation of wild coho fry, resident crayfish, trout and other critters.
Subsequently, every August some of the gravel and sand are removed by the City. This year, about 25 truck loads were taken, deepening about half the Pond area and creating a stretch of quiet water for the benefit of last winter's generation of wild coho fry, resident crayfish, trout and other critters.
June 24, 2025: Annual Smolt Transfer
June 24, 2025: Annual Smolt Transfer
A heavy plastic tub in the back of a DFO truck was used to carry coho fry from the Cap trough in the hatchery down into the ravine. In all, 11,200 fish were transferred in two trips to the rearing pond.
A heavy plastic tub in the back of a DFO truck was used to carry coho fry from the Cap trough in the hatchery down into the ravine. In all, 11,200 fish were transferred in two trips to the rearing pond.
The large predator net had already been moved aside on May 15th when last year's generation of smolts was removed from the pond.
The large predator net had already been moved aside on May 15th when last year's generation of smolts was removed from the pond.
Chris looks on while Tristan dumps a netful of fry.
Chris looks on while Tristan dumps a netful of fry.
The water flowing through the pond comes from a natural spring in the ravine. The water used in the Cap trough comes from the the same source, so the shock to the fry would be minimal.
The water flowing through the pond comes from a natural spring in the ravine. The water used in the Cap trough comes from the the same source, so the shock to the fry would be minimal.
It took an hour to move the predator net back into place afterwards.
It took an hour to move the predator net back into place afterwards.
Anchored by large plastic tent pegs and steel posts, it prevents the smolts from being preyed upon by kingfishers, herons, owls and raccoons. It has been very effective—the smolt survival rate was about 93%.
Anchored by large plastic tent pegs and steel posts, it prevents the smolts from being preyed upon by kingfishers, herons, owls and raccoons. It has been very effective—the smolt survival rate was about 93%.
The crew: Paul, Chris and Tristan
The crew: Paul, Chris and Tristan
The coho fry, which had been kept in the Hatchery since December, will now live in the pond and be hand-fed four times per week for another year. They will be released as smolts into Stoney and Clayburn creeks next May, 2026.
The coho fry, which had been kept in the Hatchery since December, will now live in the pond and be hand-fed four times per week for another year. They will be released as smolts into Stoney and Clayburn creeks next May, 2026.
Photos by Dale Taylor
Photos by Dale Taylor
June 4, 2025: The Annual Fin Clipping Event
June 4, 2025: The Annual Fin Clipping Event
On June 4th and 5th, 22 Volunteers and 3 DFO personnel clipped the adipose fins of 11,370 coho fry presently residing in cap troughs at the hatchery. The support we received from the City of Abbotsford, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and ARPSES volunteers made this all possible.
On June 4th and 5th, 22 Volunteers and 3 DFO personnel clipped the adipose fins of 11,370 coho fry presently residing in cap troughs at the hatchery. The support we received from the City of Abbotsford, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and ARPSES volunteers made this all possible.
These fry will remain in the cap troughs to be fed and cared for daily for a few more weeks. They will then be transferred to our pond in Ravine Park where they will be nurtured until they are released into local streams as smolts next May.
These fry will remain in the cap troughs to be fed and cared for daily for a few more weeks. They will then be transferred to our pond in Ravine Park where they will be nurtured until they are released into local streams as smolts next May.
The clipping table, which is new this year, allows for up to 10 people to be involved. All the equipment, including these specialized scissors, is supplied by the DFO and is used at all the other volunteer hatcheries in the Lower Mainland.
The clipping table, which is new this year, allows for up to 10 people to be involved. All the equipment, including these specialized scissors, is supplied by the DFO and is used at all the other volunteer hatcheries in the Lower Mainland.
This is what goes on at a clipping station. The previously anesthetized fry are processed with special scissors (notice the collection of tiny fins), then placed in the water moving down that narrow trough. The water flushes them to the bottom end of the table.
This is what goes on at a clipping station. The previously anesthetized fry are processed with special scissors (notice the collection of tiny fins), then placed in the water moving down that narrow trough. The water flushes them to the bottom end of the table.
Arlene is stationed at the bottom end of the table, clicking the hand counter each time a clipped fish goes by on its way into that white pipe which will carry it back to the Cap trough.
Arlene is stationed at the bottom end of the table, clicking the hand counter each time a clipped fish goes by on its way into that white pipe which will carry it back to the Cap trough.
May 15, 2025: The Annual Smolt Release
May 15, 2025: The Annual Smolt Release
Helping with the operation were several ARPSES volunteers and, for the first time, a welcome crew from the City staff. Here they are, all lined up beside Clayburn Creek in front of the tank truck.
Helping with the operation were several ARPSES volunteers and, for the first time, a welcome crew from the City staff. Here they are, all lined up beside Clayburn Creek in front of the tank truck.
The operation begins with Paul lugging the seine net down to the rearing pond in the ravine below the hatchery.
The operation begins with Paul lugging the seine net down to the rearing pond in the ravine below the hatchery.
Tristan, Bruce, Chris and Jasmyn spread the net out. As you can see, the cold water is almost waist deep.
Tristan, Bruce, Chris and Jasmyn spread the net out. As you can see, the cold water is almost waist deep.
John is removing vegetation trapped in the net when it is dragged along the bottom of the pond.
John is removing vegetation trapped in the net when it is dragged along the bottom of the pond.
Jasmyn has to pull hard to move the 15-metre-long, 1.5-metre-wide net.
Jasmyn has to pull hard to move the 15-metre-long, 1.5-metre-wide net.
Paul, as community representative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supervised the operation.
Paul, as community representative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supervised the operation.
The smolts, which have been living in the pond for a year, are gradually rounded up for transfer to the tank truck.
The smolts, which have been living in the pond for a year, are gradually rounded up for transfer to the tank truck.
Paul was very happy with the condition of the fish: "a very healthy length-to-weight ratio, great fin condition, color and rigor." Between the ponding of the fry last year and the smolt stage this week, the survival rate was around 93%. This was likely due to the large nets used to keep predators out of the rearing pond. The number of smolts was much larger than usual—too many for one tank load, so some had to be held back for a second trip.
Paul was very happy with the condition of the fish: "a very healthy length-to-weight ratio, great fin condition, color and rigor." Between the ponding of the fry last year and the smolt stage this week, the survival rate was around 93%. This was likely due to the large nets used to keep predators out of the rearing pond. The number of smolts was much larger than usual—too many for one tank load, so some had to be held back for a second trip.
Tysan and Jasmyn with Rob, who is holding a dip net load of smolts.
Tysan and Jasmyn with Rob, who is holding a dip net load of smolts.
One of several netloads is relayed quickly to the nearby tank truck.
One of several netloads is relayed quickly to the nearby tank truck.
On the way to Stoney Creek, the first destination (five kilometres away), it became evident that crowding in the tank was stressing the smolts and that they needed to be released as soon as possible. Moving by hand using dip nets would have been too slow, so they were transferred using the pipe method.
On the way to Stoney Creek, the first destination (five kilometres away), it became evident that crowding in the tank was stressing the smolts and that they needed to be released as soon as possible. Moving by hand using dip nets would have been too slow, so they were transferred using the pipe method.
The water level in Stoney Creek, a tributary of Clayburn Creek, was low, but there had been some rain the previous night and there was enough water depth to release all 12,800 smolts into the pond beside Bateman Road. Later, the second tank load of 3000 smolts was delivered to nearby Clayburn Creek. They went into the sediment trap pond on the west side of Wright Street, across from the Clayburn Village church.
The water level in Stoney Creek, a tributary of Clayburn Creek, was low, but there had been some rain the previous night and there was enough water depth to release all 12,800 smolts into the pond beside Bateman Road. Later, the second tank load of 3000 smolts was delivered to nearby Clayburn Creek. They went into the sediment trap pond on the west side of Wright Street, across from the Clayburn Village church.
John holds the pipe as the smolts shoot down into Clayburn Creek from the tank truck.
John holds the pipe as the smolts shoot down into Clayburn Creek from the tank truck.
These smolts were born in the hatchery in the winter of 2023/24, confined for a year in the ravine pond, and now free to head for the open ocean. What a remarkable life change!
These smolts were born in the hatchery in the winter of 2023/24, confined for a year in the ravine pond, and now free to head for the open ocean. What a remarkable life change!
The following day, ARPSES president Dale Taylor had a look for the smolts in the Stoney Creek pond and didn’t see any. This means they were already on their way downstream to the Fraser River which will take them to the Salish Sea. Two years from now, the survivors (maybe 3%) will be returning to spawn in our creeks.
The following day, ARPSES president Dale Taylor had a look for the smolts in the Stoney Creek pond and didn’t see any. This means they were already on their way downstream to the Fraser River which will take them to the Salish Sea. Two years from now, the survivors (maybe 3%) will be returning to spawn in our creeks.
May 2, 2025: Hatchery Enhancements
May 2, 2025: Hatchery Enhancements
To enhance the hatchery facilities, Rudy and Hank from the Abbotsford Mission Nature Club, with committee approval, designed an entrance portico intended to feature First Nations artwork. The concept was readily accepted by the City Parks Department.
To enhance the hatchery facilities, Rudy and Hank from the Abbotsford Mission Nature Club, with committee approval, designed an entrance portico intended to feature First Nations artwork. The concept was readily accepted by the City Parks Department.
The components of the portico were then milled from a cedar log in Rudy’s workshop in Yarrow, while the hardware and other materials were funded by a $200 gift certificate from RONA Building Supplies. Once the foundation was in place, a crew of club volunteers completed the structure in one day.
The components of the portico were then milled from a cedar log in Rudy’s workshop in Yarrow, while the hardware and other materials were funded by a $200 gift certificate from RONA Building Supplies. Once the foundation was in place, a crew of club volunteers completed the structure in one day.
The Club also donated new chairs and tables, making the meeting room more attractive for hosting activities. The old chairs were taken apart and recycled.
The Club also donated new chairs and tables, making the meeting room more attractive for hosting activities. The old chairs were taken apart and recycled.
After the new portico was in place, ARPSES president Dale Taylor asked his long-time friend, Don Froese of the Seabird Island Band, to provide the artwork.
After the new portico was in place, ARPSES president Dale Taylor asked his long-time friend, Don Froese of the Seabird Island Band, to provide the artwork.
Don has also involved students from Godson, Sumas, and Dormick Park elementary schools in carving projects. He has also installed artwork in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
Don has also involved students from Godson, Sumas, and Dormick Park elementary schools in carving projects. He has also installed artwork in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
The artwork is typical Coast Salish. It is painted on a yellow cedar plank cut from a tree near Boston Bar. Traditionally, the paint was made from Devil’s club and natural iron oxide mixed with bear grease. However, these images are rendered in acrylic paint. The salmon and the eagle are depicted in a symmetrical design, facing each other. In this way, they represent the balance between two powerful forces that sustain life in the great cycle of natural existence.
The artwork is typical Coast Salish. It is painted on a yellow cedar plank cut from a tree near Boston Bar. Traditionally, the paint was made from Devil’s club and natural iron oxide mixed with bear grease. However, these images are rendered in acrylic paint. The salmon and the eagle are depicted in a symmetrical design, facing each other. In this way, they represent the balance between two powerful forces that sustain life in the great cycle of natural existence.
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