Over the next few weeks, Olympia area parents have the unique opportunity to educate children about the salmon life cycle. A vital part of our community, witnessing the salmon migration is a fantastic, miraculous experience. And, it’s even more remarkable to watch salmon swim upstream from locations that you pass by frequently.
Look for fish schooling below the fish ladder at the 5th Avenue bridge in downtown Olympia. Pass by the bridge and you will likely notice bright letters announcing the arrival of the salmon.
Chinook salmon are on their migration from the Pacific Ocean. In Budd Inlet, they must swim up the fish ladder into Capitol Lake, before continuing their journey to Tumwater Falls and the Deschutes River.
Around mid-September, most of the fish will likely be out of Budd Inlet and in Capitol Lake or the Deschutes River. Until that time, the best salmon migration viewing location will be at the 5th Avenue bridge, near Bayview Thriftway.
Through mid-October, salmon viewing will be optimal at Tumwater Falls Park.
“At the 5th Avenue bridge, the fish can sometimes be seen swimming around below the fish ladder and dam before heading into Capitol Lake,” reports Stream Team staff member, Patricia Pyle. “Sometimes you can’t see them because they are still further out in Budd Inlet’s deeper water, but they are here. We have seen a few enter the lake and a few have been spotted below at the lower falls in Tumwater.
Tumwater Falls Hatchery and Salmon Spawning
The local salmon, running through four, local fish ladders, are primarily hatchery Chinook. At the last ladder, the fish are directed into a holding pond owned by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The fish accumulate in the holding ponds until they are processed , three times a week. A portion of the fish are artificially spawned during the processing.
Some hatchery Chinook will be let up the Deschutes River to spawn naturally and provide nutrient enhancement. Last year, over 500 hatchery Chinook were passed up stream into the Deschutes River. In addition, all the wild Coho (possessing an adipose fin) and other stray salmon are let go above the falls in the Deschutes River.
About 10,000 fish were projected to enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Along the way, they will meet sport, commercial and tribal fisheries. The hatchery will spawn about 2400 fish, about equally distributed between male and females.
Pyle reports that the temperature of the water in Capitol Lake impacts the fish migration.
“It’s been warm with no rain. Even though these are hatchery fish, they will respond in an instinctive manner like a wild salmon,” says Pyle.
While these fish will not spawn naturally, they recognize that there has been little rain which is a condition necessary to swim upstream.
“The fish are also entering directly into fresh water (Capitol Lake) from salt water (Budd Inlet),” adds Pyle. “This is a big change for the salmon physiologically. Their bodies undergo complex changes to regulate the salt balance when shifting from salt to fresh and fresh to salt water.”
Pyle and her team of Stream Team volunteers expect to see Chinook salmon at the dam through mid-September. Signs with answers to frequently asked questions are posted near the 5th Avenue bridge. Salmon Stewards, volunteers with Stream Team, will also be around the dam on evenings and weekends throughout the migration.
Interested in viewing the spawning operation? Stop by the Tumwater Falls Hatchery on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings to watch the crew.
More information can be found by clicking here.
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.
