Salmon Sunday at Cariboo Dam

Chum are the most common salmon species you may see at Cariboo Dam in the fall. iStock

One of the great things about the return of the traditional fall weather – cooler temperatures and rain – is the return of spawning salmon. Join the BLPA to celebrate their return!

DATE: Sunday, October 22
TIME: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
MEET: Cariboo Dam

Cariboo Dam, located at the east end of Burnaby Lake, is a great spot to view one of the great miracles of the natural world as salmon return from the ocean to their natal stream to spawn and complete their life cycle.

Visit our display to learn about salmon, the history of Cariboo Dam, the birds and wildlife you will see around the park during this time of year, the history of the BLPA, our activities and how to get involved!

Pick up a Waterways of Burnaby poster so you can find the streams in your neighbourhood.

We are also offering a guided nature walk using the iNaturalist app. It’s a great tool that you can download to help you identify the nature around you.

Register for the 12 pm Guided Nature walk here.

Fall is a great time to use the app! You may be able to capture sightings of organisms that can be only seen this time of year like funghi and spawning salmon. Also, the Regional Parks Snap & Share project is happening during the month of October! By registering and sharing your observations, you can be eligible to win a prize!

Register for Snap & Share here.

You can also share your salmon sightings with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society‘s annual Salmon Spawn Watch. With climate change and other pressures, the number of salmon returning to each stream every year is changing. You can help them better understand what is happening with salmon around the province with just your phone and a social media account. Learn how to take part here and be eligible for prizes!

Cariboo Dam overlooks the Brunette River to the East where the salmon have made their way from the Fraser. They will spawn in the Brunette or make their way up any of the tributaries such as Stoney Creek or Eagle Creek. Some of them will rest and continue up the beautiful fishway into Burnaby Lake.

Salmon come back to their natal stream where they were ‘born’ because they ‘know’ it is a good place to spawn; they won’t waste time looking for a stream with good habitat and other salmon. Scientists believe that salmon navigate by using the earth’s magnetic field like a compass.When they find the river they came from, they start using smell to find their way back to their home stream. They build their ‘smell memory-bank’ when they start migrating to the ocean as young fish.1

Cariboo Dam is located on Cariboo Road between Government Road and Avalon Avenue in Burnaby, BC. You can park at the lot at 9157 Avalon Avenue or look here for directions.

1 US Geological Survey

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day Fall 2023 with the BLPA

Are you interested in birding? Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the Burnaby Lake .Park Association.

DATE: Saturday, October 14
TIME: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm*
MEET: Burnaby Lake Nature House

Join BLPA Directors, volunteers and local birders as they share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the birds of Burnaby Lake and beyond. With fall migration in full swing, this is a great time to see both seasonal visitors and local year-round species.

Visit our display* (from 10 am to 2 pm) to learn about the birds you might see at Burnaby Lake, how you can keep birds safe all year especially during migration, our nest box program including getting nest box plans.

We’ve got several guided outings that you can register for.

This year, World Migratory Bird Day is focused on the importance of water for migratory birds. The vast majority of migratory birds rely on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles. Inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting, and also as places to rest and refuel during their long journeys. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world and so are the migratory birds that depend on them.

Take part in the Regional Parks Snap & Share by reporting any fall visitors that we spot on the iNaturalist app. Learn more about Snap & Share happening throughout the month of October here.

We welcome everyone, including people with disabilities, people who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC), and people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+). We’ll be using Burnaby Lake Regional Park trails which are accessible to wheelchair-users, people who use mobility aids, or child strollers.

Please note that advance registration is required as space is limited. These outings will take place, rain or shine. If you are no longer able to make it, please cancel your registration so that another person may attend.

More information:

MEETING LOCATION: We will be set up in front of the Burnaby Lake Nature House – look for the BLPA flag.

*Construction notice* – Please take note that there is construction along Winston Street which includes single lane traffic that may add an additional 5 minutes to your trip. Details for the Winston Street Sewer project can be found here.

If the weather is nice, the parking lot can be very busy. You may need to park along Piper Avenue or at Warner Loat Park right off of Winston which is a 450 m/5 minute walk to the Nature House. There are also train tracks crossing which may be blocked from time to time. See map below.

If you would like detailed driving directions or how to get there by transit, click here.

October Weedbusters

October Weebusters.jpg

Our invasive plant species removal program, also known as “Weedbusters“, began in 2004. This makes it one of the first community group programs doing this important work to champion our native species to ensure ecological diversity in Burnaby Lake Regional Park. 

You do not need any prior experience or knowledge to volunteer. We will provide you with the training you will need to identify and safely remove invasive plants. There will also be experienced volunteers or BLPA Directors to answer any questions you have about Weedbusters and the BLPA. 

This fall we are focusing on 2 projects. 

  1. The first project is to dig out blackberry roots behind the Nature House and cover the ground with weed cloth so no birds can nest there in the spring. This means we should be able to have some Weedbuster events in the Spring to continue removing the Blackberry roots and then plant there in fall 2024. 
  2. The second project is a Wildflower Meadow at Lenson. We will be laying down cardboard/coffee bags over the grass and then covering it with dirt. Then we will spread a seed mix of wildflowers. However, this project is subject to change if there is any job action by Metro Vancouver Park Staff. If that happens, we will pivot to an invasive plant removal. The meeting location will not change.  

The first 2 events are at the Burnaby Lake Nature House located at 4519 Piper Avenue. Sign up at the links:

The third and fourth events meet at the Lenson Garage located on 9157 Avalon Avenue. (see map below). Sign up at the links below.

Each registration link wil have details on what to bring and where to meet. Click here full directions (including transit).