Research Projects
With a focus on salmon habitat protection and restoration, our research contributes to the health of watersheds on Whidbey Island and beyond.
Whidbey Island lies in the center of the Salish Sea, at the entrance to Puget Sound where the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca merge. Our shorelines provide habitat for juvenile salmon from many natal rivers, and adult salmon pass by our shores on their return journey to streams and rivers around Puget Sound. Genetic testing has shown that most of the fish found here are from the Skagit, but 22 distinct populations have been found.
A few stream systems on Whidbey can support spawning, the largest being the Maxwelton watershed. The Maxwelton Valley contains 19 miles of stream habitat, and the former estuary was also one of the largest on the island. Other stream systems that can support natal populations include Maxwelton Creek (South Whidbey), Glendale Creek (South Whidbey), Crescent Creek (North Whidbey), and Kristopherson Creek on Camano Island.
The main contribution of Island County to the salmon life history is our salt marshes, and protected shorelines that shelter juvenile salmon coming from the large river systems of the Skagit, Stillaguamish and Snohomish. In Island County’s Water Resource Inventory Area, or WRIA 6, our recovery plan recognizes the importance of the areas near these river mouths along the north eastern side of the island. Other areas are important as well, so recovery includes all parts of the island. Island County’s recovery plan was adopted in 2005. The Marine Resource Committee is currently identifying progress and ways to improve. Whidbey Watershed Stewards’ restoration and education efforts contribute to the success of this plan.
To see the full recovery plan look here: Island County Salmon Recovery Plan.
Salmon Egg Planting, Smolt Count, and Spawning Survey
Chum and coho salmon were once plentiful in the Maxwelton creek, nearshore, and estuary. (Click to see a timeline of Salmon in Maxwelton Creek.) The Maxwelton Watershed encompasses not only the drainage basin for the Maxwelton system but the nearshore marine environment in adjacent shoreline areas of Useless Bay, including adjoining coastal bluffs. This nearshore habitat is an important feeding and rearing stop for migrating salmon in several life stages, including Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon. By 1955, however, the salmon runs were believed to be extinct. Maxwelton is the largest watershed on Whidbey Island, and it was just one of many stream systems where fish were disappearing.
From streamnet.org
Island County Public Works uses the information to prioritize its culvert replacement schedule. WWS also used the study to determine restoration priorities including replacement of blocking culverts on private property.
Smolt counts done each spring showed that Coho had hatched and overwintered in the creek. Chum have not been found in the creek since the early days. In an experiment to see if the salmon runs could be sustainable on their own, egg planting was suspended after 2003.
Whidbey Watershed Stewards staff and volunteers monitored the population of salmon smolts leaving the Maxwelton Creek system. The smolt trap attached to a culvert, and all the fish heading downstream were collected, counted, and photographed by our volunteers.
Thanks to the urging of a 14-year-old summer resident, the Department of Fish & Wildlife began planting salmon eggs in Maxwelton Creek around 1958. After that Coho salmon were once again seen up into the middle reaches, until the 1970’s when efforts ceased and the runs again disappeared.
In 1988, a new group of local citizens got involved, working to reestablish the salmon runs. Students, teachers and residents set up egg boxes and began raising salmon in the stream in 1990, monitoring it for water quality and signs of spawning and returning salmon.
These efforts were rewarded in 1995, when residents along the creek reported seeing 25 spawning pairs during the fall salmon run. A winter flood resulted in sightings of salmon crossing the road!
The Maxwelton Stream Inventory of 2003 identified types and locations of fish in the stream system and found ten reds (nests in the gravel streambed made by spawning females) in the creek near the Outdoor Classroom. The report also recommended replacement of several road culverts that appear to be blocking fish passage.
Smolt trap with lid open
In the stream we typically found cutthroat trout, Coho salmon, and sticklebacks. We counted the number of Coho to help us determine if fish were successfully reproducing. Coho spawn in the creek in late fall/winter and after they emerge they live as fry in the stream for 18 months. They begin their transformation to smolt and begin swimming downstream where they will enter the salt water. They are bright silver at this point and have started to lose their parr marks that helped them hide in the shallow stream. In 2013, grant funding allowed Whidbey Watershed Stewards to publish a Maxwelton Fish Utilization Report.
Additionally, after the Maxwelton Beach tide gate was retrofitted to improve passage of salmon through, a survey to count the number of spawning salmon was started to determine if the new tide gates were allowing fish to pass through. At first our partner, the Wild Fish Conservancy, performed the survey and trained volunteers, but for approximately ten years Whidbey Watershed Steward staff and volunteers completed the survey. Volunteers need hip waders and a hardy ability to climb around in a wet, cold creek.
These surveys are currently on hold. Contact Rick Baker if you are interested in participating in this activity in the future.
Smith & Minor Island Aquatic Reserve Kelp Harvesting Research
Did you know there are only seven Aquatic Reserves in the Puget Sound and one of them is right here along the western shore of Whidbey Island?
The Smith & Minor Island Aquatic Reserve was designated in 2010 for its wealth of biodiversity. From Fort Ebey to Joseph Whidbey State Park, you can see the waters of the Reserve, walk along public beaches and in the distance you can see Smith and Minor Islands. Just to the west of those islands lies the largest kelp forest left in Puget Sound.
With Federal and State funding, Whidbey Watershed Stewards staff participated in the Aquatic Reserve Watch: a monitoring program aimed at assessing the human usage of the Smith & Minor Island Aquatic Reserve, and the presence of birds and marine mammals. Participating citizen scientists recorded disturbances to wildlife, and observed and collected unbiassed data on coasted marine resources which provided important information to understand how people are using the reserve and to inform management practices by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The human use of the shore and nearby waters was one of the main gaps in information for the reserve. Aquatic Reserve Watch volunteers observe and record both consumptive and non-consumptive offshore and onshore activities in the Reserve which provides important information for estimating recreational and commercial value of this protected area. Examples of activities that volunteers record include consumptive activities such as fishing by boat or on shore, and non-consumptive activities such as swimming, dog walking or wildlife watching, as well as recording disturbances to wildlife. Aquatic Reserve Watch volunteers record beach and ocean activities they see taking place from a stationary location. Volunteers are trained to identify 10 important marine bird species, and report bird and mammal sightings to their best ability.
Grant funding for this research project is currently expired. For more information about this research project, please contact Rick Baker.