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Salmon-Enhancing Tips for Streamside Landowners

There is always something you can do to help keep our streams clean and preserve our fish populations. The following are examples of how streamside land owners can help make a difference in stream and fish conservation

Keep stream banks natural:

  • Plant native streamside trees and vegetation, which prevent erosion, keep water cool, and deposit wood that creates pools and hiding places for salmon.
  • Remove invasive streamside weeds and plants, which crowd out natives species. Learn more about which ones are noxious and which ones are native here.
habitat-restoration-on-sandy-river
The picture above demonstrates habitat restoration on the Sandy River. Courtesy of Flickr user Fox Fotos.

Limit stream contamination:

  • Keep animals from trampling streamside vegetation and, if you own livestock, prevent manure from entering the water.
  • Create ways to stop roof and driveway runoff from flowing directly into the stream.
flooded-house
This is an example of what can happen when land owners do not respect the boundaries for which their setting allows. This flooded house in Kennewick, Washington was built below street level and near a stream. Photo courtesy of Flickr user John Gateley.

Garden intentionally throughout your property:

  • Plant native vegetation, and weed invasive species
  • Nurture healthy soil with natural fertilizers and compost. Avoid using garden pesticides and fertilizers when possible to prevent contaminating the water.
  • Control water use and irrigation to minimize runoff

 

If you have questions or a project you would like to discuss, please contact us!