Friday Roundtable: Salmon SEEson

Every year, thousands of salmon travel though creeks, rivers and lakes in King County on their return trip from the ocean. These adult salmon return to fresh water to spawn the next generation. The county’s Salmon SEEson program, now in its 20th year, highlights the habitat restoration, stormwater management, and community stewardship that ensure the fish can complete their journey. The program also highlights some of the best locations for watching the great salmon migration. An interactive map is available here.

One of the primary dangers to coho salmon in King County’s streams and rivers is a chemical from car tires. A chemical called 6PPD is used in almost all tires to protect them from ground-level ozone. When ozone reacts with 6PPD, it creates a toxic chemical called 6PPD-quinone. 6PPD-quinone is left on the roadway and washed into nearby waterways during the next rain. Some locations have a stormwater filter to prevent 6PPD-quinone from entering a waterway, but these systems cannot be built for every road.

To avoid adding more 6PPD-quinone to the salmon’s habitat, do not drive to see the salmon migration. Instead, ride the bus! EcoCity Action has organized a few transit trips to see salmon. Join them on a trip to Issaquah (Oct 4), Renton (Oct 11), or Carkeek Park (Nov 21). Below is a list of 20 salmon spotting locations and the bus routes that will get you there.

Auburn

• Fenster Nature Park: Route 181
• Flaming Geyser Park: Routes 907, 915

Bothell

• North Creek Trail: Routes 230, ST 535

Issaquah

• Confluence Park: ST Route 556
• Ebright Creek: Route 269
• Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: ST Route 556
• Lake Sammamish State Park: Routes 203, ST 556
• Salmon Run Nature Park: ST Route 556

Lake Forest Park

• Blue Heron Park: 322, 331, ST 522, 981
• Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve: Routes 331, 322, ST 522
• Pfingst Animal Acres Park: Routes 322, 331, ST 522

Redmond

• Juel Park: Routes 222, 250

Ravensdale

• Kanasket State Park: Routes 168, 907

Renton

• Belmondo Reach: Route 907
• Cedar River Park: Routes 101, 105, 153, 240, 907
• Renton Library: Routes 101, 105, 148, 153, 160, 240, 907

Seattle

• Carkeek Park: Routes 5, 28, 40, D Line
• Chittenden (Ballard) Locks: Routes 17, 44
• Duwamish River People’s Park: Routes 60, 124, 132
• Longfellow Creek: Routes 21, 50, 125, 773, C Line, H Line