Cloverdale Creek

Yes, there is a Cloverdale Creek running through Cloverdale. Its kind of a joke, similar to the Los Angeles River down in California. Could almost double as an oversized ditch. But its a real little creek and when I was younger small fish, I suppose some species of salmon, could be seen swimming in there. Its been so long that I can't even be sure where the original Cloverdale Creek ran through town. I remember it running alongside and across 176th Street in the 58th Avenue to 60th Avenue areas. There used to be an Anglican Church on 176th, kind of in the area where that big vacant lot near the 7-11 is. The creek ran alongside it. It has since been covered over, but with the big cement culverts to protect the fish and keep the water flowing. Part of the parking lot over the United Church has Cloverdale Creek running beneath it. But these days the only place that Cloverdale Creek can actually be seen is on 57th Avenue, between the Beaver Lodge, and closer to 173 Street. From either side of the avenue, the creek can be seen running back towards Cloverdale, and then towards Highway 10 before it becomes encased in the culverts again. I suppose it must drain out to the Nikomekl River eventually, but I'm not too sure. The creek was mostly covered over before I was ten years old. These days the area around Cloverdale Creek on 57th Avenue is pretty much a dumping ground for people who don't want to deliver the local newspapers or flyers. Ever wonder why so many of the storm drains around 58th Avenue and other parts around downtown Cloverdale are stamped with fish? That's because Cloverdale Creek is still running through town and fish are still living in the creek. Don't send any pollutants into the storm drains or it could potentially kill the small fry that live there. And there you have it. Part of Cloverdale's hidden history.