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A Wallyhood Waters series

Hello fellow Wallyhooders,

This fall, I had the opportunity to learn about our watershed by participating in a training offered through Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, called Community Action Training School (CATS). Mid Sound helps restore habitat within the Sammamish watershed to support salmon recovery. Through CATS, I’ve developed a newfound appreciation for the rainy season.

Here’s why: This fall season kicked off with warm and dry conditions—not ideal for our salmon neighbors, who need abundant cool and clear waters to make the great journey from ocean waters back up the freshwater streams. This is where they spawn and die, sustaining several other species along the way, such as bears, eagles, whales, beavers, and other fish. 

This 40-million-year-old life cycle has evolved in modern times, adapting to everything our salmon have to contend with. Things like climate change, pollution, and overexploitation have caused salmon to be endangered, and some salmon populations have to rely on hatcheries to ensure their survival. Yet they still make their way, and we are fortunate enough to be able to witness these amazing creatures with our own eyes. If you missed it, here are some videos, courtesy of Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group. 

As Wallyhooders, we share the waters of Lake Union with our salmon neighbors, including Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho. In fact, some fish swim right by our neighborhood as they make their fateful journey. In this series, I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned about the connection we have with fish and other creatures throughout our watershed.

Here are some resources to find out where you can view, celebrate, and even protect our salmon neighbors:

• Salmon Viewing: Here is a list of where you can see salmon now. Please note it’s best to give the fish space and quiet if you’re lucky enough to see them. Experts recommend giving them five feet of space from you and your dog.
• Salmon Celebration: Bring the kids to Piper’s Creek at Carkeek Park for the Salmon Celebration on November 22nd, from 11 am–2 pm!
• Salmon Protection: Volunteer with Mid Sound at Springbrook Creek Restoration Day in Renton on December 6th

I’m hoping this post helps relieve some of the rainy day blues we have these days. The rainfall is all-important to our salmon neighbors, who, despite the odds, continue with their perpetual upstream journey.