Chineside Watershed

Chineside Watershed
Summary

The Chineside watershed consists of 7 creeks which originate as sidehill runoff on the north facing slopes of Chineside Park. These creeks are, from west to east, Ottley Creek, Axford Creek, Kyle Creek, Hachley Creek, West Sundial Creek, East Sundial Creek, and Goulet Creek. Each of these streams flow north through steep ravines until they are culverted as they reach the northern edge of Chineside Park. Ottley Creek leaves Chineside Park and enters its culvert on the south side of Henry Street between Douglas and Elgin Streets. Axford Creek enters its culvert at the southern end of Elgin Street. Kyle Creek enters its culvert at the southern end of Kyle Street at Kyle Park. Hachley Creek enters its culvert at the southern end of Grant Street. West and east Sundial Creeks join 200 meters south of the end of Moody Street, and this stream enters its culvert at the southern end of Moody Street. Goulet Creek enters its culvert at the southern end of Hugh Street. All of these culverts flow beneath Moody Centre to a single collector duct which empties into a short channel on the north side of Murray Street at the entrance gate to Pacific Coast Terminals. This channel flows north 50 meters until it enters the the Port Moody Arm of Burrard Inlet.
In 1996 42.3% of the watershed was developed and impervious to water.

Fish: Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Onchorhynchus clarki clarki) are known to inhabit Goulet Creek and may inhabit Sundial Creek. Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) likely reside in many of the streams, while stray Coho (Onchorhynchus kisutch) and Chum (Onchorhynchus kisutch) from neighbouring South Schoolhouse Creek may seasonally inhabit the stream mouth.
Wildlife: Coyote and raccoon are the only prominent terrestrial animals inhabiting the area, with Pacific tree frogs inhabiting Chineside Park. Black bears have been seen on occasion in Chineside Park.
Vegetation: Chineside Park, the only forested area of the watershed, is dominated by Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar.
Parks and recreation: Chineside Park occupies the headwaters of this watershed, while Kyle Park and Century Park are also in this watershed.
School: Moody Elementary School is in this watershed.
Residential: predominantly single-family residential houses.
Industrial: near the stream mouth Interfor / Flavelle Cedar operates a sawmill and Pacific Coast Terminals with Reichhold Chemicals Ltd. operates a sulphur terminal. Light industry and several small businesses operate along St. Johns Street.
Other: CP Rail has a right-of-way that runs east-west through the watershed.

The lower half of the watershed is entirely culverted, posing potential water quality and water flow issues. Fish populations have been isolated in the headwaters and at the stream mouth.
Marine sediment at creek mouth severely contaminatied by prior and ongoing industrial activities.

Ongoing water quality and fecal coliform monitoring by Port Moody Ecological Society.