Environmental recovery: Fish found in Nolin Creek

There are new signs of life in Nolin Creek, a branch of Junction Creek that flows through the Donovan area of Sudbury.

During a visit to the stream, staff from the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee observed what they thought were small fish.

“We returned to the site with a minnow trap and discovered creek chub,” said Sarah Woods, research manager with the group, in a press release.

“These are the first reported sightings of fish in Nolin Creek since at least the early 1990s.”

Numerous attempts have been made to look for fish. In 1993, 2004 and 2008, Nolin Creek was surveyed as part of larger research projects looking at fish in the Junction Creek watershed.

Its five main branches, including Nolin Creek, were surveyed.

“We know from this work that the number of fish in Junction Creek has increased to 16 species, and that some have increased their range and are found in more branches than before,” Woods said.

“However, some of the branches of the creek are slower to recover.”

A painted turtle was also found nesting along Nolin Creek this summer, another sign of ecological recovery. It was reported by community member Ersin Abdullah.

The stewardship group attributes these new discoveries to improvements to the landscape and changing attitudes toward urban waterways.

“Community engagement is one of the most important factors in creek restoration,” said Woods.

“We hope to continue to work with the citizens of Greater Sudbury to further improve the entire Junction Creek watershed.”