Dean Wong

There was a celebration at Carkeek Park last Friday and the guest of honor was the chum salmon that have been swimming up the creek in recent weeks.

The Annual Piper's Creek Salmon event drew crowds of children and adults to view the salmon and learn about the importance of taking care of our water quality.

This fall, the salmon have returned earlier than in past years. The first one was observed on November 13. Carkeek Park volunteers had counted 29 salmon swimming in the park's stream by early last week.

No one was more happy to hear the news than Nancy Malmgren, an environmental activist who has worked tirelessly to preserve the park and clean up the water so the fish could return.

Malmgren is the director of the non-profit Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project (CWCAP). Her dedication to Carkeek Park has spanned nearly 25 years.

"Everyone is geared to them coming back. It's a good time of year," said Malmgren.

Carkeek Park is approximately 223 acres in size and serves as an environmental classroom for hundreds of school children who come each year.

Wetlands in the park have been restored over the years. A children's play area featuring a Native American and Salmon theme is there to entertain the kids.

Adults enjoy the beach, with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

This time of year is a good window for viewing the salmon. By standing along the stream, or on one of the many foot bridges, people can see salmon swimming.

It takes patience and an attentive ear to listen for the splashing sounds salmon make in order to spot them.

The salmon in Piper's Creek, which flows through Carkeek Park became extinct by 1930 when the watershed was developed and the virgin forest was logged starting in the 1920s.

Homes built near the park severely impacted the water quality.

Malmgren moved to the neighborhood in 1958. In 1965 she led a Girls Scout troop and they discussed the issue of water pollution.

CWCAP was formed in 1979. "We wanted to return the salmon to the creek and educate people about the watershed," Malmgren said.

Coho salmon were first planted by the University of Washington in 1980 and have been naturally spawning since. Scientists then decided chum salmon were best suited for the creek.

The return of the salmon coincides with cleaning up the water and that has been a cooperative effort between local governmental agencies and the community.

"It's an exciting partnership, community groups and residents taking care of their yards and gardens," said Beth Miller, Pipers Creek Watershed Outreach Coordinator.

Toxic household waste and leaking underground sewer lines had damaged the ecosystem. So residents were asked to be good stewards. Homeowners who live above the park are encouraged not to use pesticides which can wash down into the water system.

On some streets, the city has built a natural drainage system in the form of ditches with contaminant-absorbing soil. The hope is that it will make a difference in the water quality said Miller.

"It is a demonstration of what can be done to restore the wetlands and Piper's Creek," said Malmgren.

With the water quality improved and the habitat healthy, salmon started spawning again and a self-sustaining salmon run was created.

The salmon average 20 inches in length. "Look and listen for splashing. It's best to come on a clear day, in a down pour it's hard to see," recommends Miller.

Cutthroat trout are also frequent visitors to the streams, as are the occasional sea otter.

"The cutthroat trout can take a lot of urban disruption, more than the salmon," said Malmgren.

Park volunteers, known as Salmon Stewards will be stationed at the park during the weekend, through December 19 to educate visitors coming to see the salmon.

To volunteer as a Salmon Steward call 684-0877. Salmon feeders are also needed, call 363-4116.