This yearB次元官网网址檚 salmon run marks the first coho salmon to return since the massive fuel spill in Goldstream Park.

B次元官网网址淲e are very concerned about the coho, the adults returning are the juveniles from the fuel spill,B次元官网网址� said Peter McCully, technical adviser for Goldstream Hatchery. B次元官网网址淲e have no idea what itB次元官网网址檒l look like until later.B次元官网网址�

On April 16, 2011, a fuel truck crash on the Malahat spilled 42,7000 litres of fuel into the Goldstream River. Hours after 8,000 hatchery fish were released into the river. Throughout that week about 20,000 fish were released. This will be the first year the repercussions of the spill will be seen in fish, though last year about 800 were counted in the river.

B次元官网网址淟ast year the coho werenB次元官网网址檛 affected by the fuel spill,B次元官网网址� McCully said.

While McCully waits to see the first glimpse of how the fuel spill affected the fish, he is also concerned low water levels will affect the salmon run.

B次元官网网址淭he water is so blessedly low the fish wonB次元官网网址檛 come in it,B次元官网网址� McCully said. B次元官网网址淭he fish need a change in the weather.B次元官网网址�

Sometimes when the barometric weather system brings in a low pressure system it can encourage the fish to migrate, McCully explained.

The rain last weekend wonB次元官网网址檛 affect the river water levels, it may add a B次元官网网址渇resh water lensB次元官网网址� on the ocean encouraging the fish to swim up stream. The ground is so dry the water is just absorbed and didnB次元官网网址檛 run into the rivers.

B次元官网网址淭he Goldstream River is impounded (with three dams) itB次元官网网址檚 not a natural river,B次元官网网址� McCully said. B次元官网网址淲e are releasing water at critical times.B次元官网网址�

With low water levels, the Capital Regional District allowed the hatchery to release water, but McCully is unsure how much water the hatchery will be allowed to release.

McCully is asking all residents of the CRD to start conserving water in their homes, so more can be released into the river to aid the salmon spawning.

B次元官网网址淟ook after the water you use in your home. CRD Water will be more flexible with the water we release in the river (if less water is being consumed,)B次元官网网址� McCully said.