Don't be sad if it rains this weekend because the water is good for fish, especially in Hyde Creek.
Stream stewards with the Hyde Creek Watershed Society are reporting an earlier-than-usual drying of the Port Coquitlam creek, which required some quick action to save thousands of salmon.
Concerns about chum salmon fry not being able to get to the ocean prompted the society to hold its annual open house and fry release weeks earlier than usual, said volunteer Jane Peachman in an email, and extra help was needed to save coho smolts to ensure they didn't get stranded in the creek.
On May 14, a team of volunteers transported 10,000 coho smolts from a rearing pond to a deep pool off Cedar Drive. The rescue means the smolts should be able to make their way to the ocean through DeBoville Slough without getting stranded.
Last year, thousands of coho died because parts of the creek went dry, although that happened later in the year.
• More information about the creek and the society is available at www.hydecreek.org
