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You are here:   Home → Natural Environment → Wild Salmon
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Indicator: Wild Salmon

Data and Data Discussion provided by King County DNRP

Estimated chinook escapement

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Upstream Indicators
  •   303d Listed Watercourses --- Although approximately 50% of watercourses included on the 1998 Washington State 303(d) list have been de-listed, the total number of listed water segments has increased in the past decade. The most significant increase in listings has occurred with regards to temperature.   (view data graph)
  •   Freshwater Habitat Index --- Overall freshwater quality in King County is below standards except for lakes. These findings are based on 2007 monitoring results for rivers, streams, groundwater, and lakes. Of the total sampled stream sites in King County in 2006-07, 45 percent were considered moderate to high water quality, and 55 percent were rated to be of high concern. This was a decrease in the number of sites considered moderate to high water quality from previous years.   (view data graph)
  •   Urbanization and Impervious Surface Changes --- The number of acres of urban land, clear-cut, and regenerating forest have increased in King County since 1986. Acres of grass and deciduous, mixed and coniferous forest have decreased. Acres of rural forests and privately owned working forests have declined in recent years  (view data graph)
  •   Vehicle Miles Traveled --- In 2007, VMT for the Puget Sound region increased by 0.6 percent over 2006, continuing an almost 30-year trend. Annual VMT has decreased only three times since 1980 when the first estimates became available.  (view data graph)
  •   Marine Sediment Quality --- Marine sediment quality is fairly steady in Puget Sound. Sediment contamination increases and are reduced only over many years.  
  •   Shoreline Armoring --- There are increasing levels of riprap and sea walls being installed on Puget Sound shorelines. Conclusions from a baseline survey for shoreline armoring in 2005 show that many beach-feeding sediment sources have been locked up behind armoring.   (view data graph)
  •   Consumer Environmental Behavior --- The 2006 Environmental Behavior Index survey of King County residents indicated that purchasing of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) climbed since the prior survey in 2004, though choosing less toxic cleaning products and considering the environmental impacts of purchasing decisions was steady or declining against the 2004 survey results.  (view data graph)
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Downstream Indicators
  •   State and Federal Listed Threatened and Endangered Species --- Limited historical data exists. However, the rate of global species extinction has accelerated over the past century. Steps are being taken to curtail the rate of species decline in our region, but populations of species intolerant to human development are expected to decline as our region grows.  
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Related Goals

Research on the abundance of an indicator species over time, such as salmon recovery data, can be used to monitor the state of our natural environment, as well as provide leverage to promote policies and actions which protect our natural resources.

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Sustainability Snapshot:

Wild salmon are a keystone indicator of the health of our region’s biosphere. They need clean water and a passable stream. The University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group reports that global warming's expected impact includes many negatives for Pacific Northwest salmon. Increased winter flooding and decreased summer and fall streamflows, and elevated warm season stream and estuary temperatures will degrade in-stream and estuarine salmon habitat in the Northwest. These changes will likely cause severe problems for the salmon stocks that are already stressed from already degraded freshwater and estuarine habitat.

Sustainability Trend:

Many of Puget Sound's salmon stocks have experienced substantial declines over the past 50-100 years due to overfishing, dams, and habitat degradation. Although the number of mature, adult chinook salmon returning to their stream of origin were almost twice in 2006 as high as 2005 levels, they comprised only 25 percent of the long-term chinook population target.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Measure of number of natural chinook returning to spawn in all or portions of WRIAs 7,8,9 and 10.

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

Development, landowner practices near the shoreline, and pollutants are important influences on the health of freshwater bodies in King County. The reduction of forest cover and increases in impervious surfaces that often accompanies development causes higher stream temperatures and more urban runoff. Combined sewer overflows (which occur when heavy rainfall forces stormwater and sewage to be discharged untreated into waterbodies), failing septic systems, and animal wastes can lead to elevated bacteria levels and increased water temperatures.

Habitat degradation, hydroelectric power operations, salmon harvest, and hatchery management all play a significant role in the decline of local salmon returns. Some annual variation, however, is unrelated to local human influences. Natural cycles of ocean warming and cooling and long-term trends in climate can greatly affect the health and abundance of local salmon.

Data Source and Limitations

Data source: The data source for this indicator comes from Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WA DFW).

* http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish-sh.htm

* http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/recovery.htm

Collection frequency: The WA DFW collects chinook escapement data from mainstream hatcheries in WRIA's 7, 8, 9, and 10 in King County. Twice monthly and annual reports are posted on their website listed above.

Methods for analysis: Estimates presented here of the number of natural chinook returning to spawn each year were obtained from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for chinook in each major King County watershed. Chinook population targets derived from co-managers and Technical Review Team for WRIA 7, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment analysis for WRIA 8, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for WRIA 9.Data Reference

Berge, H. and M. Hammer, S. Foley, 2006. Timing, abundance, and population characteristics of spawning Chinook salmon in the Cedar/Sammamish Watershed. KC DNRP/WLRD and WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. ftp://dnr.metrokc.gov/dnr/library/2006/kcr1960.pdf

 

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Additional Resources

  • Salmon Recovery in Puget Sound, Puget Sound Partnership
    Puget Sound was once home to more populations of Chinook and other salmon with a greater diversity of traits than what exists today. Only 22 of at least 37 historic Chinook populations remain. The remaining Chinook salmon are at only 10% of their historic numbers, with some down lower than 1% of their historic numbers. The decline in salmon is closely associated with the decline in the health of Puget Sound and therefore requires a coordinated, ecosystem-wide restoration effort. Visit this website to learn about our region's salmon recovery plans.