Keeping habitat healthy for salmon benefits all
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January 16, 2019
UP AS FAR AS A FISH CAN GO – The Skagit River at Newhalem, looking northeast, toward the Gorge dam. There weren’t many eagles to be seen Saturday: The high water level minimizes salmon carcasses, as does the lack of ice. – Photo by Ken Stern
On a glorious crisp, clear day along the upper Skagit River, Lucy DeGrace from the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group presented a well-attended talk about why “Habitat Restoration Is About Way More Than Salmon.” An attentive group of 30 Eagle Festival attendees listened as DeGrace explained the importance of protecting habitat within the Skagit River – and all – watersheds. There are 14 regional fisheries enhancement groups championing habitat wherever salmon spawn. They are volunteer and grant driven.
DeGrace started with outlining the watershed area. The Skagit originates above the Canadian Border in British Columbia and flows south in a triangular fashion to where it empties into the Salish Sea in the southern region of greater La Conner. The river includes its many tributaries and accompanying marshes along the way. It includes water below the ground as well as above.
Many people know that salmon begin their lives in a river’s upper regions and move down it as they go through four life stages, with young adults entering salt water, and then returning to travel back up river to spawn later in life.
DeGrace explained that saving habitat along that journey is vital to saving the lives of salmon plus all the creatures who depend on them.
Scientists have focused on the Skagit River because it has stretches of undisturbed shorelines and, by repairing the habitat that has been degraded, it may be the best choice for saving endangered runs of five different types of salmon.
The Chinook salmon in particular is of interest, because 30 to 50 percent of them originate in the Skagit River.
They are also the primary diet of the Southern Resident killer whale population, also in danger of becoming extinct.
The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group work with government and individual property owners to maintain the vital habitat that will keep the salmon runs healthy.
Healthy salmon runs guarantee a food source for orcas, seals, sea lions and people.
In addition 137 other species – from grizzly bears to gray wolves – depend on salmon for part of their diet.
Even trees and plants benefit from the nutrients brought back to fresh waters by salmon from the sea.
Macroinvertebrates also nibble on the nutrient rich carcasses left behind after spawning.
In this way parent salmon nourish their young by feeding these tiny creatures that will eventually become prey for next generation of salmon.
Habitat maintenance includes partnering with property owners to remove culverts and other barriers that restrict fish passage, restricting livestock from reducing water quality, and replanting native vegetation that will provide shade, bank stability, and food for certain insects. Restoration and creation of side channels and stands of brackish water are also important to give fish a place to rest, replenish, and grow on their long circular journey.
DeGrace ended with a poignant question, “Salmon do so much for the health of their next generations and for other species, including humans; isn’t it time we put our carcasses to work?”
Her talk was hosted by and held at The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center, at Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport.
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