Spawning Salmon
Fall is the best time to see salmon returning to spawn in Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula rivers. Plenty of water is needed for salmon to swim upstream and successfully reproduce. After salmon lay their eggs in the gravel stream beds, they die. The eggs are left on their own and rely on a flow of clean, cold water to productively hatch. The spawned salmon are a great source of nutrition for many animals that rely on them to survive the harsh winter
Viewer Tip: It is important to conserve water, especially after the drier summer months. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center suggests fixing leaky faucets, taking shorter showers and only running full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. These tips can save hundreds of gallons of water per month at home, allowing that water to flow into streams and rivers for wildlife. Another great way to help is to volunteer with a local organization to restore salmon habitat or visit a spawning stream to see the salmon in action!
This information is provided by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Learn more: www.ptmsc.org.
Season: Fall
(Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Adopting a stream: A Northwest Handbook by Steve Yates)
