Nisqually River Salmon Nutrient Enhancement
ProgramThe stinky and slimy
salmon carcass tossing thing
Salmon
Life Cycle
Salmon
Life Cycle
redd
eggs
silt
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon Life Cycle
Salmon
Life Cycle
Riparian area
Clear, clean water
crustaceans
ocean
carcass
estuary
Oil pollution
redd
eggs
alevin
silt
gravel
Large, woody debris
River migration
Silver coloration
predators
Historical salmon runsPre 1800’s
• 5000 Chinook• 23,000 Coho• 60,000-100,000 Chum• 115,000 Pink (odd years only)• 6000 Steelhead
720,000 to 1,425,000 lbs/yr!!!!! marine derived nutrients; depending on chum run and pink(odd year)
Present Day• 1500 Chinook• 5000 Coho• 30,000 Chum• 10,000 Pink• 500 Steelhead
343,000 lbs/yr
• Less than 1/3 of historical run size• Much more chum than any other fish = less
diversity
Our goals…
• Upstream nutrients
• Winter months
• Increase nutrients in low nutrient upper watershed
Where do the carcasses come from?
Nisqually Salmon Runs
Where do the carcasses come from?
Clear Creek Hatchery
Salmon Carcass Tossing
Why toss salmon carcasses?
It helps salmon.
Why toss salmon carcasses?
It helps other wildlife, too!
Why toss salmon carcasses?
It helps trees and plants.
Why toss salmon carcasses?
Wa He Lut Indian School
Salmon connect people with our natural resources.
10 years of Carcass Tossing(1999-2013---no fish tossed in 2008/09)
106 tons of rotten salmon tossed
293,200 lbs!
About 21,200 lbs this year!
30 Orca Whales (9,600lbs each)
300,000 lb jet
Timing *above Centralia Dam
What To Wear:
Rain gear and rubber boots are recommended!
Dress in layers to keep warm.
Bring a plastic bag to store smelly, outer layers
On your field experience….
…let’s look for early signs of SPRING!
Western Beaked Hazelnut
Indian Plum
Thank you!!……..Questions?
James Morrill, Nathan Meade, and Sheila Wilson Nisqually River Education [email protected]@[email protected](360)438-8715