Chemical spill blamed for large fish kill along Hoy Creek in Coquitlam

The Story

A chemical spill has caused a large fish kill along Hoy Creek in Coquitlam, where staff with the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society say chlorine was detected in the creek after a nearby resident reported dead fish floating in the water.

The incident was reported to the hatchery on Thursday after the resident observed fish carcasses in the creek and reported a bleach-like smell. Hoy-Scott hatchery staff say they detected chlorine in the water used to hold coho, and that fish began dying over the next one to two hours.

By Friday, fish carcasses were visible in and along the creek for about 1 kilometre downstream from the hatchery area. Staff estimate the loss at roughly 2,000 fish, including juvenile salmon as well as trout and cutthroat trout.

Matthew Watts, director of the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, said the loss is particularly difficult because the organization aims to raise healthy salmon that can later go to the ocean. Robbin Whachell, communications director for the society, said the group is focused largely on educating the public and operating locally alongside residents.

Coquitlam officials and federal fisheries and oceans authorities were on site to investigate. The City of Coquitlam said industrial-strength chlorine from a pressure washing job nearby flowed into a storm drain that fed directly into Hoy Creek.

The city noted that further investigation will determine the appropriate enforcement response, including whether fines apply, and what mitigation measures are needed to prevent similar incidents. As heavy rain washed away the harmful material, the fish that survived appear to be doing okay.

Hoy-Scott staff said they are trying to minimize additional stress on the remaining fish, because bleach or chlorine in holding tanks can contribute to further mortality. Over the next couple of weeks, the society plans to take water samples to confirm conditions remain safe.

With the salmon return season approaching, the society is also reminding residents not to pour anything into storm drains and to avoid areas around the creek while fish are present and vulnerable to contamination.