Dosewallips River Restoration Continues

Work continued on the Wild Fish Conservancy and Washington State Park's ongoing restoration of the lower Dosewallips River in Jefferson County, Washington. We removed a 400-feet levee on the south bank of the river upstream from the US-101 bridge, opening up 2.5 acres of floodplain to natural river process. The levee was built in the early 20th century, and at one time was likely part of an approach for an old bridge across the river. The footprint of the levee was in direct contact with the river, with about half of the length running along an active side channel, and the other half running along the mainstem of the river... Read the entire update.  

It Must Be A Duck

You know the old adage, "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck."  The U.S. Congress established a formula in 1972 when it overhauled the Clean Water Act and required a permit for most discharges of wastewater.  The formula goes like this:  if you 1) discharge 2) pollutants into 3) navigable waters from 4) a "point source", you need a permit.   Congress defined "point source" in the Act, and, as you might expect, things like "pipes" are included. 

The Quilcene National Fish Hatchery on the Olympic Peninsula discharges pollutants (nutrients, chemicals, bits of fish) into Big Quilcene River (a navigable water).  The pollutants enter Big Quilcene River through pipes and the fish ladder, which also qualifies as a "point source" under the Act's definition.  Quack quack.  This place needs a valid permit.  It once had one, but it expired in 1979 and the government failed... Read the entire article.  

WFC Teams Up with Alexandra Morton at B.C. Event   

Wild Fish Conservancy will team up with biologist and activist Alexandra Morton (salmonaresacred.org) May 10, at an event in Tofino, B.C. - Old Growth Forests, Pristine Rivers, Silent Waters: Searching for Answers. Researchers ask why an ecosystem with such exceptional freshwater habitat produces so few wild salmon. WFC biologist Audrey Thompson will present findings from two years of in-depth research on sea lice infection of Clayoquot's wild salmon. Visit wildfishconservancy.org for more details.    

Abundance: The Lost Cornerstone of Salmon-Driven Ecosystems

A recent article by biologist and past WFC board president Bill McMillan looks at historic salmon abundance -   

One small creek in the Queen Charlottes: While trying to determine what historic salmon productivity might once have been prior to Euro-American contact, it has occurred to me that the combined predator and aboriginal harvests of salmon that once supported large populations of bears, wolves, and seals, and relatively few people might help to determine a salmon baseline.  T.E. Reimchen has done considerable predator research regarding salmon consumption on the Queen Charlotte Islands.  I was struck by the salmon database he used from one small creek that comes into Bag Harbour, a stream too small ... Read the entire article.  

Visit the WFC Facebook Page! 

Like the Wild Fish Conservancy Facebook page and join in the conversation with other wild fish supporters. 

Stay engaged with all the latest news of interest to the Wild Fish Conservancy Community.  

- Learn about WFC science, education, and advocacy initiatives

- Read project updates and see images and video from the field

- Follow the issues  that impact wild fish conservation and recovery

- Watch for special offers and exclusive invites to WFC events

Visit the WFC Facebook page now! 

The Wild Fish Conservancy conducts research and monitoring projects in rivers, on lakes, and in near-shore marine habitats throughout the region. We develop and implement ecological process restoration initiatives to recover ecosystem functions, recreate habitat systems, and serve as models for similar efforts throughout the region.

The Grays Harbor Juvenile Salmon/Fish Use Assessment is in full swing. This new project will help pave the way for future habitat restoration and protection projects in the region. Find out more about this project and other WFC projects at wildfishconservancy.com/projects.