KCD cooperators around the Enumclaw plateau are starting to see and hear the salmon return after recent rainfall. This photo is from the Middle Fork of Newaukum Creek. If you live along a creek, here are some helpful tools to identify salmon that may be returning to your area.
Some other species to look for in area creeks might be crayfish, benthic macroinvertebrates, freshwater mussels, Pacific lamprey or others.
And mammals that frequent riparian areas may also include beavers, mountain beavers, river otters, raccoons and more.
Some birds also like creeks, and may show up during spawning season include American Dipper Bird, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle and more.
If you are interested in getting outside to enjoy the return of fall, visit 2020 Salmon SEEson to find self-guided sites and virtual opportunities. If you decide to visit a self-guided site near you, please remember to recreate responsibly. Not all creeks in King County have viewing areas listed on the map, so get out in your neighborhood and do some exploration. Let us know what you find!
Connecting with nature now to help get some beneficial vitamin D before the gloomy days of rain and winter are upon us.
Other Helpful Resources
King County Salmon and Trout Identification
King County Noxious Weed Identification
Invasive New Zealand Mudsnails
Species Identification in Washington
SalmonScape is a tool you can use to determine the classification of a creek near you or anywhere in Washington State.
Note: KCD’s Stream Steward Program has been on hiatus. If you have been or are interested in that program, please make sure you are signed up for KCD’s newsletter to be notified when/if that program restarts in the future.
Project Coordinator, Engagement
O: 425-282-1901 – C: 425-773-0320
Liz works as a Project Coordinator on the Engagement Team and is a strong advocate for KCD programs and services. In 2014, she joined KCD as an Educational Outreach Assistant on the Boise Creek Community Project in the Boise Creek Watershed area of southeast King County. She wears many hats at KCD and enjoys helping each team showcase their best and brightest projects and accomplishments. Outside of work, Liz, her husband and son own a 10-acre farm in Enumclaw and have horses, goats, sheep and poultry, and grow hay. Currently, she also spends a great deal of her time volunteering as the market manager for Enumclaw Plateau Farmers’ Market.