Salmon are spawning in the Cle Elum River
Every fall the spring Chinook salmon return to the Cle Elum River. And every fall the Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program (YBEEP) brings students to see, touch and study the fish.
For 20 years, YBEEP has brought K-12 students from Central Washington schools out for field trips to learn about salmon, wildlife habitat and ecological restoration. Over 10,000 spring Chinook returned to the Yakima River this year, which will provide excellent viewing opportunities for students along the Cle Elum River, a Yakima River tributary. Teachers can also choose to rear salmon eggs in their classrooms, engage their students in painting storm drains to teach the public to prevent pollution from flowing into streams, learn salmon anatomy through salmon dissections, and participate in habitat restoration projects.
YBEEP is also hosting two public salmon viewings, on Saturday, September 24th and Saturday, October 1st. These walks are an excellent opportunity for families to observe this amazing natural event. Participants will meet at the Cle Elum Ranger Station at 10 a.m. on both days, and then travel together to the Cle Elum River near Ronald. The salmon walk covers a total distance of about 1/2 mile. No advanced registration is required.
Public Salmon Viewing Dates and times: September 24th and October 1st
Location: Meet at the Cle Elum Ranger Station at 10 a.m.
Contact: Bob Tuck 509-945-7250
What to expect: Dress for early fall weather; wear good hiking shoes. Polarized sunglasses improve fish visibility. Bring a camera. The salmon walk will be completed between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of YBEEP.
