CHARACTERISTICS

• Forested riparian ecosystem with a tidal flat at the outlet to Burrard Inlet.
• Source is near Eagle Mountain. Flow is southwest towards Burrard Inlet.
• Spawning chum salmon use the flatter, lower portions of Mossom Creek (above and below Ioco Road).  Coho adults traverse the steeper portions of the creek and have been seen above East Road in Anmore.
• Above East Road this creek is crossed by 2 BC Hydro transmission line right of ways. Both are 100 m wide with associated gravel access roads.

HISTORY

This watershed was logged extensively in the late 1800s and in the early 1900s.  Recent clearing has occurred above East Road in association with large scale, steep slope development. Approximately 12%of the watershed (above East Road) was logged during 1995-1996. Mossom Creek has been used as a water source for many homes in the Anmore area and this continues to this day for several homeowners in the area.

CONCERNS

• Logging and associated access road construction have modified the hydrology of the watershed. There is evidence of heavy runoff flowing down access roads, and into the storm drain system (top of Wyndham Crescent.)
• Urbanization has affected the watershed through the addition of impervious areas and the resultant alteration to flow.
• Ditching in the Anmore area and storm sewers in Port Moody, act to divert surface drainage away from the Mossom Creek watershed.
• Siltation arising from development practices on steep slopes in Anmore is the major concern in this watershed and has been the subject of numerous difficulties and reports to officials at all levels of government.
• Critical fish habitat within the first 1 km of the stream from Burrard Inlet.
• Industrial activities in Burrard Inlet have previously polluted the marine environment receiving water from Mossom Creek.

More Information:

http://www.pskf.ca/ecology/watershed/portmoody/mossom02.htm

This report was originally prepared by Matt Townsend for the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation in 2002.  It has been updated.