Salt degrades water quality and can be lethal to salmon eggs and alevin – YWES seeks a better solution
YWES members are concerned about the use of road salt on roads and paths near salmon-bearing watercourses in Langley. We are participating in the Road Salt and Salmon study coordinated by UBC and the Pacific Science Enterprise Center Community Stream Monitoring (CoSMo) project. This multi-year study involves sampling for invertebrates and salmonids in two sites along the Yorkson Creek, as well as monitoring temperature and conductivity. Volunteers collect this data several times a year and submit it to the research team.
Riparian Restoration
YWES has been planting native species in Derby Hills Park to enhance the habitat and shade along the Yorkson Creek. This area was mainly invasive Reed Canary Grass, which chokes out native species and doesn’t provide shade for creek wildlife. Volunteer events have seen community members plant hundreds of wetland species such as willow, alder, spruce and wild rose. We also mulch and beaver cage to protect the new plantings. Come help out at our next planting project, Spring 2026!
Salmon-friendly Culvert Improvements
YWES president Natal Cicuto has been successful in encouraging the Langley Township to improve culvert design to benefit salmon spawning habitat. Two of the ‘salmon-friendly culverts’ have been installed recently along Yorkson Creek. These should allow salmon to spawn closer to the headwaters of the Yorkson, south of 80th Avenue.
