Characteristics

• This watershed is bounded by the Village of Anmore to the north, Burrard Inlet to the south, First avenue to the west and Mossom Creek watershed boundary to the east.
• Source is natural runoff.
• Riparian forested ecosystem. The mouth of Schoolhouse Creek South with an associated tidal flat at the outlet.
• Hydrology has been relatively unaltered by residential development.
• Creek passes through 2 culverts and a fish ladder.
• Fish ladder under Ioco Rd., East Rd., and the CP rail Right of Way, approximately 60 m upstream from the mouth.
• Good fish habitat, virtually undisturbed.

Watershed Use

• Ownership: Government of Canada, Imperial Oil, School District No.43.
• Landuse: Industrial, Residential, CP Right of Way
• Fish: Coho fry are released from the Mossom Creek Hatchery annually. Cutthroat trout (year round), Chum and Coho salmon (spawning).
• Vegetation: : Western hemlock – flat moss; Douglas fur/Western hemlock – Salal; Douglas fir - Swordfern

Concerns

• Volume of water removed by water license – holders in Anmore.
• Several toxic spills and sediment discharges have occurred in this creek.
• Garbage or litter have been problematic. Large amount of metal in the lower reaches of the creek.
• Prior industrial activities in Burrard Inlet have polluted the inlet.
• Fish ladder maintenance can be problematic, as debris accumulation has caused washout concerns in the past.
• Bank stability is of concern in places.
• May become increasingly developed as population pressures increase in the area.

Key Interest Groups/Government Bodies

• Municipal Gov’t: City of Port Moody, Village of Anmore
• Regional Gov’t: GVRD, Vancouver Port Authority
• Provincial Gov’t: Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
• Federal Gov’t: DFO
• Local NGO’s: Mossom Creek Hatchery
• Other Stakeholders: Canadian Pacific Railway; Imperial Oil

Watershed Projects

• No known at this time.

Available Sources of Information

City of Port Moody
Port Moody Ecological Society Library
Port Moody Public Library

References

Dunster & Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd., and AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. 1999. Port Moody Environmentally Sensitive Areas Management Strategy. Phase 1: An Inventory of Natural Areas. Prepared for the City of Port Moody.
Fraser River Action Plan. 1999. Lower Fraser Valley Streams (Vol.1): Strategic Review. Queens Printer. ISBN 0-662-26167-4
Precision Identification Biological Consultants. 1997. Lower Fraser Valley Stream Review (Vol. 3): Wild, Threatened, Endangered and Lost Streams of the Lower Fraser Valley. Prepared for Fraser River Action Plan. Queens Printer. ISBN 0-662-26029-5