For the love of Salmon.
It’s fall and the salmon are coming home.
On Sunday October 4th, I led a hike out to Rainie Falls and we watched Chinook salmon jumping the falls on their return journey to their native spawning grounds in smaller creeks and streams upriver. Watching these fish battle the falls was a perfect metaphor for this year, where challenges and constant change have become the norm. We all felt a little more hopeful, watching these salmon fight their way through the churning water like they do every year, recognizing that we too will make it through. I hope you and yours are safe and healthy, wherever you are.
Photo by Dustin Saigo, Chinook Salmon jumping Rainie Falls on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River.
Every fall, Chinook salmon make their way from the Pacific Ocean up the Rogue River and back to the very place they were born. These anadromous fish are born in fresh water and then make their way to the ocean where they live for several years feeding before returning to their home waters. Once back in its birthplace, the fish spawn and then die, returning their bodies as nutrients to the surrounding water and land.
Fall Chinook in the Rogue Basin are a hearty fish and can travel over 150 miles to their spawning grounds. They can be seen jumping the 15 ft. Rainie Falls or swimming up Bear Creek in only 6 inches of water, bound and determined to reach their destination.
Rogue Riverkeeper works to protect and restore clean water so that native salmon populations are able to thrive. We also host salmon viewing hikes and walks each fall to see these miraculous fish and talk about our work to protect them. If you missed our hike to Rainie falls, there are many other opportunities to see salmon throughout the Rogue Basin this fall.
A salmon’s journey is nothing short of miraculous. I hope you can get out to catch a glimpse of these incredible fish this fall.
For the Rogue and its fish,
Robyn
Fall opportunities to see salmon with Rogue Riverkeeper.
Salmon Strolls with Rogue Riverkeeper
Join us for a leisurely stroll along Bear Creek or the Rogue River to see the salmon come home!
These strolls are easy, at your own pace walks along the water to find the best spot to see salmon. Prior to the stroll, we will gather to talk about these amazing fish and their life cycle as well as what Rogue Riverkeeper is doing to help protect them. Then we will walk along the park trails to look for salmon!
Salmon strolls are free and great for people of all ages. RSVP’s are required and each event is limited to 10 people to allow for social distancing and COVID-19 precautions. We hope you can join us!
Coyote Trails, Medford
Thursday October 8th, 10AM - 12PM
Touvelle State Recreation Site, White City
Sunday October 11th, 10AM - 12PM
Coyote Trails, Medford
Wednesday October 14th, 10AM - 12PM
Lynn Newbry Park, Talent
Saturday October 24th, 10AM - 12PM
RSVP’s are required.
Rogue Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore clean water, native fish, and healthy communities in the Rogue River Basin. Throughout all of our campaigns, we are working hard to protect clean water not only for the human communities but aquatic communities as well, especially salmon.
The Rogue’s iconic salmon are increasingly threatened by a warming climate, polluted waterways, decreasing habitat and more. We are working hard to protect the these amazing fish and their habitat by:
Protecting & Restoring Bear Creek Post Fire: Following the recent Almeda fire, we're coordinating closely with partners to reduce toxic runoff into Bear Creek. Rogue Valley Sewer Services has already installed pollution controls on storm drains and curb inlets in impacted areas to minimize toxic pollution entering streams. With rain expected this weekend, we are planning to collect samples and take photographs at multiple sites along Bear Creek to monitor any pollution concerns. Together with partners in local cities and state agencies, we will continue to monitor runoff and will implement a volunteer photo monitoring program to capture impacts and restoration efforts within the Bear Creek corridor. Sign up here if you’d like to volunteer as part of this photo monitoring effort!
Stopping the Jordan Cove LNG project: With you behind us, we are on the front lines fighting back against this harmful project that would directly impact the upper Rogue, its tributary streams, and salmon. Right now, the state of Oregon has denied two key permits needed for the project to move forward. We filed suit to challenge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval and continue to track and respond to any permit reapplications related to water quality and the Rogue. Read more in our latest blog post about the fight against Jordan Cove LNG.
Reforming poor forestry practices: Salmon need clean, cold water in order to thrive. Oregon’s current state law and regulations allow streamside logging and aerial spray practices that are prohibited in Washington, California, and Idaho. With your support, we’ve advocated for stronger streamside protections on private forest lands for years with the Oregon Board of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Forestry. This past year, not only were we successful in updating stream buffer standards for the Rogue, but we also joined an unprecedented agreement together with conservation groups and the timber industry to reform the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Over the next 18 months, we will be heavily involved in working to improve harmful logging practices on private forestlands through a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for aquatic species. Check out our recent blog post to learn more about our work to reform private forestry practices.
We hope the Rogue will always be famous for its salmon and opportunities to see them. I hope you can get out and catch a glimpse of these amazing fish some time this fall. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to protect them. And we can’t do it without your support!
