Now that the culvert by the arched bridge in Puntledge Park in Courtenay has been replaced by a bridge, salmon spawn watching is set in Morrison Creek.

When the rains come and river levels rise, Morrison Creek will again host pink, coho, chinook and chum salmon; they will join the cutthroat and rainbow trout, stickleback, sculpin, crayfish and endangered Morrison Creek lamprey, who live in this fascinating creek year-round.

The arched bridge in Puntledge Park is a great spot to watch salmon, because it spans Morrison Creek over a spawning bed. For that reason, people and pets need to stay entirely out of the creek, so that the salmon and eggs are not disturbed or injured.

Other great spots for watching the salmon run on Morrison Creek are the lower bridge in Puntledge Park, just up from the confluence with the Puntledge River, the bridges on First Street and Willemar Avenue, and the bridge by Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary.

The salmon will be spawning in this urban creek until at least November, so stay out of the creek.

For more information about nature in action, to learn about the salmon cycle and the importance of this keystone species, check out .

- Morrison Creek Streamkeepers