Pacific salmon are vital to our culture and environment in British Columbia. They are facing unprecedented challenges with increasing impacts from climate change, pathogens, development, and predation. At the Pacific Salmon Foundation, we are working to save and restore wild Pacific salmon.
Our Climate Adaptation series focuses on seasonal issues that salmon face, issues that become challenges during extreme climate events. These challenges often result in amplified stressors to Pacific salmon.
What exactly is freshet?
The first in our Climate Adaptation series, PSF VP Salmon Jason Hwang teaches us about freshet, the seasonal flood of a river from heavy rain or snowmelt.
Historically, during normal years, early run sockeye and Chinook salmon migrate easily through freshet to their natal spawning streams. However, many rivers have had higher-than-average flows for three of the past five years. And when rivers are higher than normal, migration can become nearly impossible due to extremely high and fast-flowing water.
It’s anticipated that more extreme high- and low- flow conditions will become the new norm as a result of climate change. This means the definition of “normal” may need to be reconsidered, and we must double down our efforts to save these salmon and provide them with a passageway that’s accessible in all conditions.
In the Heart of the Fraser River, relatively calm side channels allow for salmon to take refuge. Salmon also veer from the mighty Fraser for food. When islands and shorelines flood seasonally, terrestrial insects float, thus creating a buffet for salmon. However, due to increasing island and shoreline development and dikes, this valuable feeding ground is disappearing.
Pacific salmon need our help, and we must do everything we can to save them. At PSF, we’re salmon first, salmon always — and we don’t go it alone. Special thanks to our partners in this video — Mike Pearson, Ecologist, and Kelsey Ned Kwilosintan, Fisherman, Sumas First Nation — for sharing their knowledge with us.
As the province warns of “long-term, significant drought” this summer, impacts on salmon are imminent. While those exact impacts are to be determined, PSF and partners seek innovative, cost-effective solutions to help salmon adapt.
Sept. 07, 2023
The Pacific Salmon Foundation has activated time-sensitive pilot projects across the province, from B.C.’s interior watersheds to Vancouver Island streams to help salmon as they struggle to survive in the face of extreme…
Warm stream temperatures and low flows are two significant drought factors that can make habitat unviable for returning adult salmon and juveniles, with potential to affect their survival and reproductive success. PSF needs your assistance in…
As the province warns of “long-term, significant drought” this summer, impacts on salmon are imminent. While those exact impacts are to be determined, PSF and partners seek innovative, cost-effective solutions to help salmon adapt.
https://psf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-17-2023-PSF-0026-scaled.jpg11522048Carter Lovelace/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PSF-Logo-2022-min.pngCarter Lovelace2023-07-20 10:31:492023-08-23 15:29:32B.C. forecasts provincial drought this summer. How can we help salmon survive?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbwxvGrLWnI&feature=youtu.be
Oct. 07, 2022 (updated with video October 17, 2022)
Article written by Katrina Connors, Director of the Salmon Watersheds Program, Pacific Salmon Foundation
This week, B.C.’s…
Pacific salmon are vital to our culture and environment in British Columbia. They are facing unprecedented challenges with increasing impacts from climate change, pathogens, development, and predation. At the Pacific Salmon Foundation, we are…
Pacific salmon are vital to our culture and environment in British Columbia. They are facing unprecedented challenges with increasing impacts from climate change, pathogens, development, and predation. At the Pacific Salmon Foundation, we are…
What is happening in BC – September 15, 2021
An update by Jason Hwang, VP for Salmon
You wouldn’t think that a temperate rainforest known for its wet, lush environment would reach alarming drought levels, but ours did.
Thankfully,…
https://psf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/20210909_162643-e1631659136606.jpg11542016Tracy Green/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PSF-Logo-2022-min.pngTracy Green2021-09-14 22:39:242023-08-15 12:20:39Drought and salmon