There are a number of opportunities
to view sockeye salmon at locations in the Lake Washington Basin. The
Ballard Locks provide an excellent location to view the sockeye in early
summer as they return from their ocean migrations. Later in the fall,
spawning sockeye can be viewing in several local streams.
Ballard Locks (June
and July)
The Hiram M. Chittenden
Locks (commonly known as the Ballard Locks) were constructed by the Corps
of Engineers (COE) in 1916 to provide a navigation link between Lake Washington
and Puget Sound. Migrating salmon and steelhead pass above the Locks by
two routes; through a fishway or by accompanying boats as they are locked
upstream. The fishway at the Locks was upgraded by the COE in the mid-1970s,
and a Fish Viewing Gallery was made an integral part of the facility.
The Fish Viewing Gallery consists of a number of underwater windows built
into the upper end of the fishway, making it possible for visitors to
view migrating sockeye and other salmon species. With the expectation
that approximately 486,000 sockeye will return in 2004, this year will
provide a great opportunity to “get eye-to-eye with a sockeye”.
June and July are the primary months for viewing sockeye at the Ballard
Locks. The Ballard Locks are located in northwest Seattle near where the
Lake Washington Ship Canal enters Shilshole Bay and Puget Sound. For information
call the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Visitor Center in Seattle at (206)
783-7059.
Spawning Sockeye
(September and October)
Spawning sockeye in the Cedar River
The fall months provide
opportunities to view sockeye salmon in area streams as they spawn and
complete their life cycle. Most spawning activity occurs from mid-September
through November, although the peak of spawner abundance is usually in
mid- to late-October. Spawning sockeye can be recognized by their classic
green head and red body color pattern. While sockeye spawners can be observed
in many of the larger streams of the basin, the Cedar River provides the
spawning grounds for approximately 90% of Lake Washington’s spawning
run. Much of the land along the river is private property, and landowner
rights must be respected. However, good sockeye viewing opportunities
on the Cedar River are available in the City of Renton by the Library
or adjacent to the airport, and at multiple bridge crossings along the
entire river upstream to Maple Valley and Landsburg.
Download 30 sec AVI file of salmon swimming
through the Ballard Locks
