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THE CEDAR RIVER OXBOW RESTORATION WHY PROTECT SALMON OXBOW ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION EFFORTS SALMON ARE A KEYSTONE SPECIES • At least 137 different species depend on pacific wild salmon and the marine- rich nutrients that they provide • Pacific salmon make up a $3 billion industry, supporting jobs and local economies/communities around the PNW • Annual salmon runs function as pumps that transfer vast amounts of marine nutrients from the ocean to river ecosystems • Salmon runs provide essential nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen for surrounding trees/forests to grow and protect the river banks from erosion as well as creating log jams to provide shelter for juvenile salmon in the streams • Oxbow wetlands or lakes are formed as the main channel of a river becomes more established and the bends in a river are cut off from the river, but this oxbow was formed when a raised railroad bed was constructed on the site and shifted the alignment of the cedar river main channel but the oxbow is still connected to the river through a culvert under the railroad. • Fish move into the oxbow to spawn, find food, avoid predators and find refuge from the high flows in the main river channel. Not only is this type of environment extremely important to the survival of fish, but it also supports a large variety of species including amphibians and birds. Image source: http://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/2004/kcr1817. • New channel created connecting the wetland site to a spring-fed pond located adjacent to the south and woody debris placed in the channel to regulate water flow and provide refuge for juvenile salmon as shown in the above picture • This expansion increased habitat available for spawning sockeye salmon • Up north of the site a culvert under the railroad connecting the wetland to the cedar river was modified to prevent jams caused by beavers and increase salmon flow to the site • Native species were planted around the wetland and invasive species were removed • The results of the restoration included: • Increased rearing and overwintering habitat for local salmon and wetland species including amphibians and http://www.kingcounty.gov/ environment/animalsAndPlants/ restoration-projects/wetland-79/ oxbow.aspx https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/6a/bb/ 5a6abb3dd174dd0b839dc03eec48f2b9.jpg http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/restoration-projects/wetland-79/ oxbow.aspx Taj Singh BES 362 References Snyder et al. 1973. Soil Survey of King County, Washington. USDA. Perkins, S. J. 1994. The Shrinking Cedar River. American Water Resources Association 1994 Annual Summer Symposium. p. 649-658. Available online < http://geopacific.com/Perkins/links.htm > King County. 1999. “Wetland 79 Fish Passage/SHRP Monitoring Report” in 1998 Annual Report CIP Monitoring Program. Wastewater Treatment Division King County Department of Natural Resources. Dated March 1999. King County. 2003a. King County Ecological Lands Handbook. King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division. Seattle, Washington. WHAT WAS DONE
