A couple of weeks ago, KCD featured a spotlight piece on the Delridge Wetland Park and Stewardship Project and the restoration work this community project has completed. With salmon spawning season upon us, we wanted to highlight the importance of local restoration projects, like Delridge Wetland Park, and how these projects help to improve the health of Salmon habitat.
Delridge Wetland Park is in the heart of West Seattle and located less than half a mile from Longfellow Creek, which feeds into the Duwamish River. This creek is known to frequent spawning Coho and chum salmon, and occasionally Chinook and cutthroat salmon. Salmon populations are sensitive to pollutants and need cool water temperatures, which keep the water oxygenated at higher levels.
Delridge Wetland Park and Stewardship Project is designed to slow, cool and pretreat stormwater and substantially reduce and prevent pollution from entering nearby waterways, such as the Longfellow Creek. Rainwater from the surrounding streets flows into the wetland where pollutants get filtered out before reaching the creek. These water quality improvements give salmon in Longfellow Creek a better chance to reach Puget Sound, resulting in a healthier food source for resident Orcas.
Restored community projects like Delridge Wetland have positive impacts on the overall Puget Sound ecosystem and improve habitat for local salmon and other wildlife.
Rosie McGoldrick, Washington Service Corps/AmeriCorps Education Events and Technology Specialist
Check out this video of spawning salmon at Pipers Creek Natural Area taken by Rosie McGoldrick.