Salmonid migration in tributaries of Port Moody Arm, Burrard Inlet, BC

Located at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Port Moody Arm has a length of 6.5 kilometres, a mean width of 0.9 kilometres and a mean depth at low tide of 8.8 metres. British Columbia Hydro's Burrard Generating Station discharges cooling water daily, heating the water in addition to solar heat. The most prevalent fish species in the Arm is the chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). This study was designed to gather scientific data concerning species, numbers and timing of juvenile and adult migrating salmonids in Port Moody Arm out of concern about their health. Although coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were observed in the various tributaries, chum salmon represented the dominant species, as observed over the 1998 and 1999 fall spawning season. Low numbers of chum salmon were recorded in the monitored systems, as well as relatively low numbers for adult coho salmon in Mossom, Noons, Schoolhouse North and Sutterbrook Creeks. Peak migration period was recorded between October 16 and November 9. From the numbers gathered concerning water temperature during this period, it was determined that Burrard Generating Station did not have an adverse effect on the migrating salmon. The likeliest period for juvenile chum salmon to be present in Port Moody Arm is from March to July. 32 refs., 9 tabs., 14 figs.