The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and local conservation officers investigated a fish kill Friday (June 29) near Garibaldi Way and Highway 99.
Although authorities have declined comment pending the investigation's results, the Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the damage may have been caused by ditch work related to the highway improvements.
Investigators from both the DFO and the 樱桃视频conservation office were on the scene early in the afternoon, after the flow of Hop Ranch Creek became obstructed.
"We are currently investigating a fish kill and a harmful site alteration," said Dave Loop of the DFO.
"We're investigating the incident as well with DFO taking the lead," said conservation officer Chris Doyle.
"We can't really go into it because the investigation is ongoing other than to say there were some fish killed and there were some stranded."
According to Edith Tobe of 樱桃视频Streamkeepers, the creek, which feeds out of Alice Lake, began to dry up after its flow was impeded.
"I was disgusted by it," said Tobe. "I didn't even want to go near it."
Rob Duffus, communications director for the Ministry of Transportation, said workers contacted the DFO as soon as they suspected there was a problem.
"As I understand it, it involved some sort of ditch work," said Duffus.
"We're cooperating with the DFO's investigation, and we expect to be getting a report on it in a few days time, so we'll know more then."
Tobe said it's not the first time highway work has caused problems in local waterways.
"There's completely inadequate silt control on 80 per cent of all their water crossings, and I can say that because I've gone and looked at each one personally," said Tobe.
Tobe said that since the project is a work in progress these issues might still be addressed.
"It's difficult for me to get angry about it at this point because they're still working on it, but it's definitely something we have to keep an eye on."
