Scientists hoping to restore salmon in Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) - The settlers who founded Ellensburg in the 1870s were likely drawn by the plentiful water in creeks crisscrossing the valley, but as the city expanded, it grew right over those streams.

Look at a Google map of downtown Ellensburg and you'll see Wilson Creek wind across Main Street. Walk the block, however, and there's no sign of flowing water.

The creek, one of many in the valley that once supported salmon, now flows in culverts below the streets for about half a mile. Several blocks to the northwest, Mercer Creek runs below a motel parking lot. Across town, the creek briefly surfaces and then runs back underground, looking on a map like scattered stitches on a quilt.

Today, the sections of creeks trapped in concrete are one of the reasons that the wild salmon that used to swim here are extinct.

What exactly the creeks look like beneath the city remains a bit of a mystery. But Central Washington University scientists have discovered juvenile salmon can still survive in the city's urban creeks.

Biology Professor Paul James and his former student, Kelsey Martin, hope their findings remind Ellensburg residents that the creeks exist and that with some restoration, salmon might be able to spawn in their midst.

Ellensburg isn't alone. Cities around the country were built on top of small creeks and streams, but a growing number are now choosing to uncover them. Advocates say the practice, known as "daylighting," can be cheaper than repairing aging culverts, create desirable waterfront parks or property, provide wildlife habitat, and improve water quality and flood control.

Seattle, Port Angeles, and Vancouver, British Columbia, are among the cities that have undertaken daylighting projects.

Culverts can be metal pipes or concrete tunnels of various shapes and sizes that contain and convey flowing water .... http://www.khq.com/story/26133451/scientists-hoping-to-restore-salmon-in-ellensburg

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

I wish the Yakama tribe would attempt a restoration like this on our Wide Hollow and Ahtanum Creeks. Lots of spawning habitat that was once chocked full of salmon and bows. I don't think I have caught a rainbow out of that creek in over 20 years now. Sad to think of what once was. Inspiring to know we can still do something about it.


Thanks again for sharing.




Tyler

Might they show up in the Ganges? ( :