Follow the salmon up the Cedar River!
Each fall, you can join volunteer naturalists at four sites along the Cedar River to see spawning salmon.
Learn about the epic journey that takes place every fall as salmon swim from the ocean, through the Ballard Locks, into Lake Washington, and on up the river to spawn. The Cedar River hosts Chinook, sockeye and coho salmon among other fish species. Cedar River Chinook are currently listed as threatened.
Volunteers tell visitors about the natural and human history of the river, the life cycle and habitat needs of the fish and other wildlife that inhabit the watershed. We also learn what we can do to ensure healthy recovery of these species.
When: Weekend days of October 11, 18, 19, 25, 26 and Saturday November 1, 2008. Volunteers will be present 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. School groups interested in weekday tours may contact Janice Mathisen to see about scheduling a naturalist.
Where: Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park
These sites have limited parking; please carpool! For more information about the Cedar River Salmon Journey, call 206-245-0143.
Directions:
Renton Library
Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Hwy 169). Coming from south: keep left at fork in the ramp. Merge into SE Maple Valley Hwy and go under 405. Road makes slight left, becoming Bronson (Liberty Park on the left). Cross the Cedar River and take an immediate left at the 'Y' onto Mill Ave S. Turn left at 4-way stop into Library parking lot (100 Mill St.). Coming from north: after you take Exit #4, go through the first light on Sunset Blvd. Turn slight right onto Bronson (Liberty Park on the left). Proceed as above.
Riverview Park
Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Renton/Enumclaw). Follow the signs towards Enumclaw. At the second light, turn left under I-405 onto Maple Valley Hwy. The park is 1.1 miles on the right.
Cavanaugh Pond
Located on the north side of Maple Valley Highway (Hwy. 169) 4.5 miles east of I-405. It is immediately adjacent to the Riverbend Mobile Home Court and less than one mile east of the 149th Ave. SE intersection. Watch for the fish signs! Follow posted parking instructions or directions from on-site naturalist about where to park.
Landsburg Park
Follow Hwy. 169 southeast from I-405 until you reach Kent-Kangley Rd. (Hwy. 516) at the Four Corners Shopping Center (about 2 miles south of the Hwy. 18 interchange). Turn east onto Kent-Kangley Rd and go less than ½ mile. Take the next left (north) onto Summit Landsburg Rd; continue for several miles. At the stop sign, turn left (north) onto Landsburg Rd (also called 276th Ave SE.) and head downhill about ¼ mile. Once you cross the Cedar River, take an immediate left or right into either of two parking lots.
Cedar/Lake Washington Watershed Map with Salmon Journey Site Descriptions
Download a watershed map with site descriptions of the Cedar River Salmon Journey.
Things you can do to help salmon and the river thrive:
- Drive less.
- Enrich your garden with compost instead of chemical fertilizers.
- Avoid pesticides. Instead use native plants, rotate your crops and learn about "friendly" insects that control pests naturally.
- Conserve water in your home and yard. Water infrequently but deeply.
- Take your car to a commercial carwash. Don't wash it on the street.
- Recycle used motor oil and fix oil leaks.
- Dispose of pet waste properly and fence larger animals away from streams.
- Sweep your sidewalks and driveway instead of hosing them down.
- Plant a tree by a water body or anywhere else, trees help control and slow runoff.
