For our fourth field trip, our class visited the Ballard Locks in Seattle. Our main purpose was to learn about the history of the locks, the salmon in the PNW, as well as the interaction between the locks, salmon, and the rest of the community. Despite the very hot and sunny day outside, we were close to the water, so it was actually quite cool for us students. There were a lot of visitors there the day we went, and a lot of families with children at the viewing windows.
Roughly a hundred years ago, the Ballard Locks were built through a coordinated effort by the city of Seattle and the Corps of Engineers. The efforts for conservation began in 1911, and completed in 1917. The easier navigation allowed for faster and more efficient development of Seattle. Even today, nearly 50,000 boats pass through the locks every year, both commercial and recreational (Ballard).
One of the attractions at the Ballard Locks is the fish ladder, which was rebuilt in 1976. It provides several steps for the salmon to jump over, to make it easier for them to reach the freshwater where they will continue to migrate to their nesting site. The salmon don't all use the ladder at the same time of the year, however. My study group postulated that this is perhaps due to competition of resources and crowding of the ladder, which could lead to decreased survival for all salmon. If so many salmon use the ladder, then it will be hard for the weaker ones to make it through. Furthermore, if there are too many salmon that make it to the nesting site all at the same time, then it will be difficult to find mates. Additionally, the food and resources will be scarce if there are so many other fish there at the same time. As a result, it's likely that the migration through the ladder is broken up into different periods, to encourage maximum survival for all the fish.
One of the attractions at the Ballard Locks is the fish ladder, which was rebuilt in 1976. It provides several steps for the salmon to jump over, to make it easier for them to reach the freshwater where they will continue to migrate to their nesting site. The salmon don't all use the ladder at the same time of the year, however. My study group postulated that this is perhaps due to competition of resources and crowding of the ladder, which could lead to decreased survival for all salmon. If so many salmon use the ladder, then it will be hard for the weaker ones to make it through. Furthermore, if there are too many salmon that make it to the nesting site all at the same time, then it will be difficult to find mates. Additionally, the food and resources will be scarce if there are so many other fish there at the same time. As a result, it's likely that the migration through the ladder is broken up into different periods, to encourage maximum survival for all the fish.
One of the first things we saw upon arriving at our destination was Native American fishermen fishing for salmon. I didn't realize anyone could fish in the locks, and I didn't know about the treaty the tribes have with the U.S government. It was really interesting seeing the fishermen at work, and a lot of people gathered to watch and take pictures. Later, I think the staff at the Locks borrowed his net to fish out a turtle that had gotten stuck in the viewing windows. We watched from the viewing window to see how they used it to gently scoop up fish or anything that had accidentally gotten inside the area.
Our class then went down to the viewing windows, and later watched a brief video detailing the history and role that that the Ballard Locks performed in the community and ecology. There are 4 species that can be found at the Locks: Chinook, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Coho. In my group, we saw mostly Chinook and Steelhead salmon, though there weren't too many that passed by our window. We didn't want to crowd the other viewing windows, so we remained at that window and took data from there (see worksheet in Journal for data numbers). A few field markings that helped distinguish the salmon were the black speckle pattern on their backs (less visible in Sockeye), the mottled spotting on their tails (more obvious in Chinook, and fewer on the Coho), size (Chinook being the largest), etc.
With my teammates, we focused on one of the salmon viewing windows and obtained data on the number of salmon swimming by, and their behavior. We monitored the salmon's swimming behavior and their interaction with other salmon. Unfortunately, there were not too many salmon passing through our window, but it was exciting to watch them nevertheless. We even spotted a little turtle that had somehow fallen into the area, and the workers suspected it was someone's pet turtle that had been set free. With a long-handled net, they were able to rescue it.
Because we saw so many Chinook salmon, I decided to do a little more research about that species in particular. Their average size is usually 10-15 pounds per individual, though some of them have been reported to weigh more than 100 pounds (most are under 50 pounds, however). Their spawning sites tend to be in bigger rivers or other streams, given that the water flow through the area is adequate for their needs. Some Chinook migrate early in the spring and summer, and others migrate later in the fall (Chinook).
With my teammates, we focused on one of the salmon viewing windows and obtained data on the number of salmon swimming by, and their behavior. We monitored the salmon's swimming behavior and their interaction with other salmon. Unfortunately, there were not too many salmon passing through our window, but it was exciting to watch them nevertheless. We even spotted a little turtle that had somehow fallen into the area, and the workers suspected it was someone's pet turtle that had been set free. With a long-handled net, they were able to rescue it.
Because we saw so many Chinook salmon, I decided to do a little more research about that species in particular. Their average size is usually 10-15 pounds per individual, though some of them have been reported to weigh more than 100 pounds (most are under 50 pounds, however). Their spawning sites tend to be in bigger rivers or other streams, given that the water flow through the area is adequate for their needs. Some Chinook migrate early in the spring and summer, and others migrate later in the fall (Chinook).
Personally, I had never been to the Ballard Locks before, and I didn't even know that it was a major tourist attraction. As a result of this field trip, I achieved a better appreciation of local efforts being made to help both salmon and boat navigation. I thought it was really interesting how much information there was available there about salmon that was provided to the visitors. The Locks do a really good job of educating everyone that comes through. It was also the first time I had ever seen wild salmon that close before: I had seen them in aquariums, and I had also seen them from a distance while I was in Alaska. However, the salmon that passed through the viewing window completely shocked me by how enormous they are. I couldn't believe they were salmon at first, because they were so big. It wasn't all Chinook salmon, either: all the salmon just seemed so much healthier, stronger, and bigger than the ones I had seen in captivity. It was also really satisfying watching them pass through the fish ladder, on their way home. It all just reminded me of how important it is to do our best at conservation of the species, and reminded me to be more active in exploring the natural resources of my own neighborhood.
CITATIONS:
Ballard Locks. Hiram M. Chittenden- Locks website. [accessed 2016 Aug 15].
http://www.ballardlocks.org/about.html
Chinook (King) Salmon Identification & Information | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Recreational Salmon Fishing. [accessed 2016 Aug 15]. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/chinook.html
Ballard Locks. Hiram M. Chittenden- Locks website. [accessed 2016 Aug 15].
http://www.ballardlocks.org/about.html
Chinook (King) Salmon Identification & Information | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Recreational Salmon Fishing. [accessed 2016 Aug 15]. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/chinook.html