The Chehalis Watershed and Salmon
The land and rivers the Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat works in include the main stem of the Chehalis River and all of its tributaries, as well as the smaller rivers flowing into Grays Harbor.
The Chehalis River starts in the Willapa Hills near the city of Pe Ell, picks up water contributed from the slopes of the Olympic mountains, and then flows into the Grays Harbor Estuary and then on to the Pacific Ocean.
Within 2,700 square miles there are over 3,300 miles of rivers and streams that support five anadromous salmonid species: Chinook, Chum, Coho, Steelhead and Searun Cutthroat. Unlike in other regions of Washington State, the salmon found in the Chehalis are not endangered.
The river valleys support agriculture, which encompasses about 8% of the watershed’s area. The majority of the watershed is in forestry, covering about 80%.
The Chehalis River Surge Plain at the mouth of the watershed is a unique wetland located where the Pacific Ocean surges into the freshwaters of the Chehalis River. These lands support wildlife like eagle, osprey and juvenile salmon.
The Chehalis Watershed, an integrated network of timber and agricultural resource producers; regenerating forest ecosystems; salmon producing streams; drinking water and aquifer recharge zones, hunting, fishing and recreation grounds, is ours to enjoy and protect.
Chehalis Basin Subbasins
There are eleven major tributaries to the Chehalis River, including the Skookumchuck, Newaukum, Black, Wynoochee, Satsop, Humptulips, and others. The land surrounding these tributaries is considered a separate sub-basin of the Chehalis River. Each sub-basin (also called Management Unit) has unique needs for supporting salmon.
Each of these sub-basins is divided into approximately four additional sub-basins with unique salmon habitat information. A full map of named sub-basins is available here.
The Habitat Work Group, along with expert consultations from biologists, assigned the limiting factors within each sub-basin referred to one of three “Tier” concerns, listed here.
“Tier 1” concerns are those most pressing issues in a sub-basin that limit salmonid abundance, productivity, and diversity. The preference of the Lead Entity is that salmon recovery projects that address Tier 1 concerns are first in line for implementation due to their potential for providing the greatest benefit to fish. Tier 2 concerns are the next highest priority.
Example:
Black River: Tier 1 concerns: Water Quality; Riparian; Water Quantity
Tier 2 concerns: Large Woody Debris; Fish Passage
Salmon in the Chehalis Watershed
The Pacific Northwest is home to five species of Pacific salmon in the genus. Oncorhynchus (O.) – Chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Two anadromous trout species – steelhead and cutthroat are also in the salmon family and Oncorhynchus genus. These seven fish are vital to the ecosystems, culture and economy of the Pacific Northwest. In the Chehalis Basin, we have: Chinook, coho, chum, steelhead and (searun) cutthroat.
Salmon with their unique life histories have evolved over millions of years and has spanned multiple ice ages. Since time immemorial, indigenous Pacific
Northwest communities have relied on salmon as a species is uniquely adapted to river ecosystems and watersheds. Pacific salmon are anadromous, which means they are born in freshwater, then migrate to the ocean where food is more abundant and return as adults to the same streams where they were born to spawn (lay and fertilize eggs) and die. Salmon are known as keystone species as they are vital to the health of ecosystems. More than 130 different animals eat salmon – from their eggs to their spawned-out carcasses.
Each salmon and steelhead species uses the waters of the Chehalis Basin differently at different times of year. The following table shows when each life stage is present in the rivers and streams, as well as climate conditions that might affect them at different times of year.
New! Fact Sheet about Salmon and Steelhead of the Chehalis Basin! (Pending)
A lot of research has taken place about salmon in this watershed. Check out a few of the fishery studies that have recently been completed in the Chehalis Watershed: Fishery Studies in the Chehalis Watershed. A list of additional studies is also available on the Office of the Chehalis Basin website: See “Technical Studies –> Aquatic Species and Wildlife Studies.”
See a Salmon? Fill out a Survey!
Let us know where and when you see salmon in the Chehalis Watershed.
The CBC-fSH, working with the Coast Salmon Partnership, developed a new webtool for people to report salmon sightings and see where others have seen the iconic fish. In addition to raising awareness about the number of places fish call home, the results will help restoration practitioners learn about salmon and stream conditions. Date and time, current weather, flow levels, and even photos are collected to pinpoint when salmon are present.
Link to survey: See a Salmon? Fill out this survey!
QR code with link to survey
Link to map with salmon sightings! Salmon Survey Results: Chehalis Basin