Tumwater Falls Park, Tumwater WA, this time of year is a really special place to visit - the path along the river is always beautiful and the waterfall itself is too. But this time of year you get the added excitement of seeing the salmon that have come up the Deschutes river to spawn.
It always just boggles my mind that salmon can do this - what a long trek they make from ocean, up through Capitol Lake, then up the Deschutes River.
The fish ladders assist them up the river - but jumping up the steps of the ladder is no piece of cake either! Often you can see several salmon swirling around in the water at the foot of the fish ladders, resting up for the effort.
Once they are funneled through the gate and up the final set of fish ladder steps, they are gathered into these holding tanks of water where they can be counted and the females stripped of eggs.
Seeing them glide along with only a fin showing makes you think of sharks beneath the surface (cue the "Jaws" music!!) - then splash! A leap out of the water and the children watching all laugh with delight. The fish are plenty close enough to splash the onlookers a bit as well!
Salmon time in Washington! One of my favorite seasonal treats to go see! And Tumwater Falls Park is one of the best viewing places in town.
Comments(2)