FCRW > discover > salmon journey

Follow the Cedar River Salmon Migration!

Each summer and fall, you can join volunteer naturalists at the Ballard Locks and at five sites along the Cedar River to see spawning salmon.

Learn about the epic journey that takes place every year 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.

Trained volunteer naturalists are on hand at all salmon-viewing sites to tell visitors about the natural and human history of the Cedar River. Come learn about the life cycle and habitat needs of the fish and other wildlife--including several threatened species--that inhabit the watershed, as well as the actions each of us can take to ensure a healthy habitat for these species.

Follow the Fish

Volunteer as a Naturalist

volunteer application

Summer Salmon Viewing at the Ballard Locks

When: Program dates for 2010 are scheduled on Saturdays, July 17, 24, and 31 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Where: Naturalists will be staioned at the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks, located on the south side of the ship canal.

Fall Salmon Viewing on the Cedar River

When: Program dates for 2010 are scheduled for October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Where: Naturalists will be stationed at the Renton Library, Cedar River Park (behind the Renton Community Center), Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park. These sites have limited parking; please carpool!

Cedar River/Lake Washington Watershed Map

Download a watershed map with site descriptions of each salmon viewing location along the Cedar River Salmon Journey.

For driving directions and maps to each of the individual program sites, please see below. Highlighted text will link to maps of each location. There will also be road signage directing visitors to the sites on scheduled program days.

We look forward to seeing you on the river!

Directions

Ballard Locks

3015 NW 54th St, Seattle

Coming from north of the ship canal: head west on NW Market St and go through the Ballard business district. Bear left onto NW 54th St and take an immediate left after passing the Lockspot Cafe to enter the north parking lot. Parking rate is $1.50/hr, maximum of 3 hours. Follow signage to the fish ladder on the south side of the locks. Coming from south of the ship canal: head north on 15th Ave W and take the W Emerson St exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left and head west toward Fisherman's Terminal. Turn right on 21st Ave W. Follow the curve left onto W Commodore Way and continue for about 1 mile. You will see the parking lot on the right just after you pass the Locks. Follow signage to the fish ladder.

Renton Library

100 Mill St S, Renton

Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Hwy 169). Coming from north: go through traffic light on Sunset Blvd. Turn slight right onto Bronson Way and go through light. Continue alongside Liberty Park (on the left). Cross over 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. Coming from south: after you take Exit #4, keep left at fork in the ramp. Merge onto Maple Valley Hwy and go under I-405. Road makes slight left, becoming Bronson Way. Proceed as above.

Cedar River Park (at the Renton Community Center)

1715 SE Maple Valley Hwy, Renton

Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Hwy 169). Coming from north: after you take Exit #4, go through first traffic light on Sunset Blvd. Turn left at second light onto Maple Valley Hwy. Coming from south: keep right at fork in the ramp. Merge onto Maple Valley Hwy. Turn right at first traffic light (entrance to Renton Community Center) and continue right along playfield until you reach the parking area. Proceed as above.

Riverview Park

Maple Valley Hwy & SE 5th St, Renton

Take I-405 to Exit #4 (Renton/Enumclaw). Follow the signs towards Enumclaw. At the second traffic light, turn left under I-405 onto Maple Valley Hwy. Contine 1.1 miles and turn right into the parking area. This site is also accessible from the Cedar River Trail.

Cavanaugh Pond

Maple Valley Hwy & SE 8th Dr, Renton

Located on the north side of Maple Valley Hwy (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 naturalists about where to park.

Landsburg Park

Landsburg Rd SE (a.k.a. 276th Ave SE) & Cedar River Trail, Ravensdale

Follow Maple Valley Hwy (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.

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.

Program Contact

Charlotte Spang - Program Manager

206.245.0143, charlotte@cedarriver.org