Amid big-box stores and industrial zones, salmon are returning to Metro Vancouver streams

The gentle metallic screech of a passing train echoes through the air, mingling with the constant hum of traffic on the nearby Trans-Canada Highway. These are the familiar sounds of the Brunette River in the fall, as it winds its way through Burnaby, B.C. But amidst the urban cacophony, another sound rises above the rest – the splashing of chum salmon as they push upstream to spawn.

By mid-November, the salmon in the river are looking haggard, their once vibrant skin now patchy and worn as they near the end of their lives. Yet, despite their weary appearance, they continue their timeless journey to produce the next generation of their keystone species.

Jason Hwang, vice-president of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, reminisces about his childhood in Delta, south of Vancouver, where he believed salmon were merely passing through the Fraser River without stopping in the Lower Mainland. However, his perspective shifted when he witnessed salmon spawning in Surrey’s Bear Creek as a child.

“It was a moment of disbelief,” Hwang recalls. “To see salmon thriving in an urban setting was truly remarkable. It shattered the misconception that salmon couldn’t coexist with a bustling city like Vancouver.”

Efforts to rehabilitate urban waterways have played a crucial role in bringing spawning salmon back to parts of Metro Vancouver, including streams surrounded by industrial and residential developments. While it may be unlikely for city salmon populations to fully recover to their original numbers, restoration work has yielded a myriad of benefits, from enhancing resilience to flooding to fostering community connection and stewardship.

Salmon are considered a keystone species, essential for supporting the broader ecosystem. They also serve as a vital indicator of environmental health, reflecting the state of their habitat. Hwang emphasizes that the presence of salmon in urban waterways underscores the need for better environmental stewardship.

Francisca Olaya Nieto, a biologist with the Vancouver Park Board, acknowledges the challenges that urban development has posed to salmon populations in the city. With approximately 100 kilometers of streams covered up over the years, restoring healthy salmon populations across Vancouver is a daunting task. Despite these obstacles, restoration efforts have shown promise in reviving once-degraded waterways and providing vital habitat for salmon.

Amir Taleghani, a senior engineer with the City of Vancouver, emphasizes the multifaceted benefits of restoring salmon habitat in urban areas. By incorporating natural assets like Still Creek into city planning, Vancouver can not only support salmon populations but also mitigate flood risks and enhance biodiversity. Taleghani highlights the importance of creating healthy habitats across the city to promote environmental sustainability.

As the Lower Mainland continues to experience population growth, Hwang stresses the significance of including natural assets in city and regional planning. By restoring as much habitat as possible, cities can not only support salmon populations but also enhance flood mitigation and recreational opportunities. Hwang points to ongoing efforts at the British Columbia Institute of Technology to restore Guichon Creek as a testament to the potential for coexistence between urban development and salmon habitat.

In conclusion, the presence of spawning salmon in urban waterways serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation. As cities like Vancouver strive to restore and preserve salmon habitat, they are not only safeguarding a keystone species but also nurturing a sense of stewardship and connection to the natural world within their communities.