Coho

I have been reflecting on the coho surveys that I did over the fall and winter months. Even though I did not see any salmon this year, I am hopeful that they are still here. I've been corresponding with the Beaver Creek Conservation Partnership, and it would seem that the lower sections of Beaver Creek did have salmon present. It is possible that the weather (and sporadic rain patterns) simply did not allow for the fish to reach the upper stream reaches this year. Or, if they did, that it was during high times of turbidity and so I was unable to view them (or view them safely, as there were several dates that I chose not to survey due to fast current and high water).

According to my colleagues, Beaver Creek sustains an incredible 9% of the coho that are found in the Sandy River watershed. 9%! That is a good number of fish, given the number of tributaries to the Sandy River. Perhaps we'll see more fish this fall, or even the next. After the culverts at the Stark Street crossing are removed, in order to give way for a bridge, there might be more fish than ever.

No numbers isn't necessarily bad. It just means we have more to hope for. It also means we have more to work for. As a community there is more to do with regards to being good stewards to our streams. Even if you don't directly live on the water.