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Home , Chinook salmon, Salmon

Chinook : Life in the Watershed

Chinook salmon are the largest of any of the salmon in . Ma- ture range from less than 2 pounds to more than 70 pounds. In the late 1800s, chinook salm- on were almost the only taken for canning in the , with production peaking at 43 million pounds in 1883. By Adult chinook are distinguished from other Pacific salmon by the black color of the base of the the 1880s, lower jaw and the presence of spots in both the upper and lower lobes of the tail fin. population declines were already a cause of concern. Historically, the range of chinook salmon included all coastal streams below nat- ural barriers. On the coast, in 1900, there were approx- imately 500,000 chinook salmon. Today, this number has declined by 30 percent to 50 percent. Juvenile chinook tend to have parr marks that are wider than the spaces in between. In addi- Efforts to restore salmon tion, the rays in the anal fin (on the fish’s rear underside) are of similar length.

must focus on improving Illustrations © 1999 by Barbara B. Gleason the fish’s habitat in the watersheds where it lives. quality and quantity. known to return to Oregon life cycle. Scientists distin- At the same time, we must This publication is waters. At least a few adult guish two major forms of address other factors of its designed to help readers fish probably enter some chinook salmon: a stream decline, such as harvest understand how, where, and Oregon rivers every month type that as juveniles spend and hatchery effects on the when chinook salmon live of the year. Like other over a year in freshwater species. in watersheds and what peo- salmon, chinook juveniles before migrating to the Coastal residents have ple can do to help conserve migrate from freshwater to ocean (spring or summer a critical role to play in and restore their runs. the ocean and then return chinook) and an ocean type improving fish habitat in What makes a chinook to freshwater as adults to that migrates to the ocean watersheds. Improving wa- salmon a chinook salmon? and die. However, within months of hatching tersheds will help prevent People have long distin- chinook differ from other (fall chinook). the extinction of species and guished chinook salmon salmon in the many dif- Watersheds are the provide benefits to individ- by the timing of the adult ferent tactics (termed “life circulatory system of the uals and communities in migration. Fall, spring, and history strategies”) they landscape, draining the the form of enhanced water even summer chinook are employ for carrying out this ridgetops through streams

© 1999 by Oregon Grant, Oregon State University This publication may be photocopied or reprinted in its entirety for noncommercial purposes. and then rivers and finally Human activities sometimes to a single point, such as a modify the watershed too We Live in Watersheds . . . lake or the ocean (rain and drastically or too frequently, snow recycle the water to exaggerating the natural dis- the ridgetops). Chinook turbances to a stream with make use of different parts consequences detrimental to of the watershed, depending fish survival. on their stage of develop- Functioning watersheds ment and their life history are important to us and to strategy. Fire, landslides, fish. We’ve come to depend erosion, and flooding are on them for timber, suit- normal parts of a stream’s able land for farming and existence, helping to create grazing, and drinking and and maintain the habitats irrigation water. The land in which salmon and other areas that people manage species have evolved over provide large wood, boul- time. For example, chinook ders, gravel, shade, and salmon rely on strong that build healthy stream water flow through the habitats for salmon. It’s a gravel nests in which they fact: we all live in the wa- are laid to provide enough tershed. We need to care for oxygen to grow and devel- watersheds, not only for our op. The creation of this hab- own uses but also for the itat depends on the periodic survival of many life forms. disturbances that naturally occur within a watershed.

Life History

1 Adult spring and summer chinook migrate into freshwa- ter from late winter to early summer, usually to the streams in which they hatched (natal streams), and spawn in late summer or early fall. Spawners can be two to six years old (some males mature as one-year-olds). Spring and summer chinook tend to spawn in the headwaters of streams and rivers. Adult fall chinook return to freshwater from late summer to early fall, usually to their natal streams a few days or weeks before they spawn. Spawners can be of mixed age. Fall chinook tend to spawn in the downstream portions of streams and rivers although some populations are capable of considerable migration. The eggs hatch in 30 to 50 days, depending on water temperature.

2 Juvenile spring and summer chinook emerge as fry in the winter and migrate to the lower reaches of streams and rivers, where they spend the following spring, summer, and winter in freshwater. and chinook salmon Live in Watersheds Illustration © 1999 by Barbara B. Gleason

3 In the spring, after a year of rearing in freshwater, juvenile spring and summer chinook migrate to the ocean. Smolts enter the ocean, where they usually find abundant Juvenile fall chinook emerge as fry in the winter and mi- food and thus grow rapidly. grate to the ocean the next spring, undergoing the change from a freshwater parr to a smolt capable of living in seawater. 4 Some Oregon chinook salmon spend their time growing When an is available, juvenile fall chinook can in the oceans off southern Oregon and northern ; spend anywhere from two to four months in the estuary before others migrate northward to the waters off British Colum- they migrate to the ocean as smolts. bia or southeastern . Chinook may remain in the For successful production, juvenile chinook depend on the ocean for two to five years. After spawning, chinook die presence of streambank vegetation and abundant instream and provide nutrients to other as well as to the next structure created by logs and root wads. generation of salmon. More about Salmon The Return of the Salmon—Restoring the Fish to Rivers and Watersheds. Thirty-minute video produced by Oregon Field Guide to the Pacific Salmon. Robert Steelquist. Sea Grant. Sea Grant Communications, A402 Kerr Admin- Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 1992. 64 pages. Partial proceeds istration, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331. from the guide’s sale ($5.95) go to the Adopt-A-Stream $30. To order, call 1-800-375-9360. Foundation. The Streamkeeper’s Field Guide: Watershed Inventory and Pacific Salmon Life Histories. C. Groot and L. Margolis, Stream Monitoring Methods. Thomas Murdoch, Martha editors. Vancouver, B.C.: University of Cheo, and Kate O’Laughlin. Adopt-A-Stream Foundation, Press, 1991. 608 pages. The standard reference work, avail- 600 128th St. SE, Everett, WA 98208. 310 pages. $29.95 + able in larger libraries. shipping. To order, call 425-316-8592. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife publications are available from the department’s Information Services office: 2501 SW First Ave., Portland, OR 97207; Organizations, 503-872-5264, ext. 5366. All listed below, except Stream Scene curriculum, are free: Institutions, and Programs You can obtain additional information about salmon Oregon’s Migratory Fish Species. Leaflet. and watersheds by directly contacting organizations, Oregon’s Threatened and Endangered Species. Leaflet. institutions, and programs. A sampling is presented below. Stream Care. A Salmon/ Enhancement Program Adopt-A-Stream Foundation (STEP) publication. 600 128th St. SE Everett, WA 98208 ODFW “Backgrounders”: 425-316-8592 • Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program • Oregon’s Coastal Salmon and Trout Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife PO Box 59 • Oregon’s Wild Fish Management Policy Portland, OR 97207 • Instream Water Rights 503-872-5252, ext. 5429 • Fish Screening For the Sake of the Salmon 319 SW • The Stream Scene: Watersheds, Wildlife and People. Ste. 706 500 pages. Call for price. A curriculum package for wa- Portland, OR 97204 tershed awareness. 503-223-8511 Fax 503-223-8544 more about Watersheds www.4sos.org/ A Watershed Assessment Primer. F. D. Euphrat and B. P. Oregon Sea Grant: Extension Sea Grant Program Warkentin. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1994. Hatfield Marine Science Center 270 pages. Available from USEPA, Region 10, 1200 Sixth 2030 S. Marine Science Dr. Avenue, EXA-124, Seattle, WA 98101, or call 206-553- Newport, OR 97365 1200. (Document EPA 910/B-94-005.) Free (if in stock). 541-867-0368 seagrant.orst.edu Healing the Watershed workbook series. Includes A Guide to the Restoration of Watersheds and Native Fish in the Oregon State University Extension Service and A Citizen’s Guide to Funding Wa- Publication Orders tershed and Wild Salmon Recovery Programs. The Pacific Extension & Station Communications Rivers Council, Inc. Available from Pacific Rivers Coun- OSU cil, P.O. Box 10798, Eugene OR 97440. $15 per book. To 422 Kerr Administration order, call 541-345-0119. Corvallis, OR 97331-2119 541-737-2513 A Guide to Placing Large Wood in Streams and Forest eesc.orst.edu Practices Notes Series. Available from Oregon Department of , Forest Practices Section, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Free. To order, call 503-945-7470. continued

© 1999 by Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon State University This publication may be photocopied or reprinted in its entirety for noncommercial purposes. Organizations, Institutions, and Oregon Department of Agriculture Programs continued 635 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310 Partners for Wildlife Program www.oda.state.or.us US Fish & Wildlife Service 2600 SE 98th Avenue Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Suite 100 811 SW Sixth Avenue Portland, OR 97266 Portland, OR 97204 503-231-6179 1-800-452-4011 www.deq.state.or.us Related Management Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 2501 SW First Avenue Agencies PO Box 59 Governor’s Watershed Enhancement Board Portland, OR 97207 255 Capitol St. NE 503-872-5310 Salem, OR 97310 www.dfw.state.or.us 503-378-3589, ext. 831 Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Practices Fax: (503) 378-3225 Program National Marine Service 503-945-7470 or contact local Forestry offices Enviro. & Tech. Services www.odf.state.or.us 525 NE Oregon St. US Environmental Protection Agency #500 Watershed Branch Portland, OR 97232 200 SW 35th 503-230-5400 Corvallis, OR 97331 www.nmfs.gov/ 541-754-4389

For more information and for details on your local site, contact your local soil and water conservation district or watershed council, or a listed organization. You Can Help Salmon

Oregon’s coastal chi- • Leave good natural fea- • Plant willows, cottonwood, • Construction can cause nook—and coho, steelhead, tures, such as a pond poplar, or other shrubs and serious sediment problems, and —can or natural side channel, trees along your waterways. even well away from a be saved! Land owners and alone. These are important They help stabilize the banks, waterway, if storm-wa- managers play an important rearing areas for fish. filter out sediments from ter runoff is not properly part in this effort. Whether runoff, and provide cooling contained. Although smaller • Check areas where your your land covers hundreds shade. operations may not need roads cross streams. If your of acres or a residential lot permits, they still can have culverts have a drop or are • If riparian pastures are not in town, you can help. significant impacts. Check above the stream channel, viable options for your oper- The first way is by with the state Department they could be barriers to fish ation, consider using fencing simply being aware of your of Environmental Quality passage. Consider rede- to keep animals away from place in the watershed and or local construction com- signing problem culverts or the water’s edge. of your local fish runs. panies about responsible replacing them completely The second way is to • Protect , rivers, runoff management at your with a bridge structure. help provide the habitat and through careful site. conditions the fish need. waste management • If possible, homeowners Here are a few helpful tips and from the effects of poor and businesses should con- for different kinds of land- fertilizer or herbicide applica- nect to a sewage treatment owners. tion. and disposal facility. Poorly performing septic tanks can contaminate groundwater and nearby streams, lakes, and bays. If you must use a septic tank, be certain it is Agricultural properly designed, located, Businesses and maintained. • Create streamside (ri- • Dispose of household parian) pastures that can be chemicals such as used mo- Forest managed for grazing during Land tor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, times when livestock will and paints at approved Operations prefer pasture grasses over Developers, collection facilities in your • Protect streamside trees riparian trees and shrubs. Homeowners, area. and other vegetation at least Provide a trough or wa- consistent with the Oregon tering tank away from the Businesses Writer: Martin Fitzpatrick stream. Forest Practices Act require- • While state and federal law Production: Cooper Publishing ments. may allow filling wetlands or estuaries (with the proper review and permits), loss of Oregon Sea Grant such habitat can harm fish. Phone: 1-800-375-9360 Consider options that pre- E-mail: [email protected] serve these habitats. ORESU-G-99-010

This publication was funded by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant and Extramural Programs, U.S. Department of Commerce, under grant number NA76RG0476 (project no. M/A-13), and by appropriations made by the Or- egon State legislature. The U.S. government is authorized to produce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation that may appear hereon. Sea Grant is a unique partnership with public and private sectors, combining research, , and technol- ogy transfer for public service. This national network of universities meets the changing environmental and economic needs of people in our coastal, ocean, and regions.