The New York Times recently published a story about threats to salmon in the northwest. The Times’ Seattle Bureau Chief Kirk Johnson visited Portland to research the article and Johnson’s story notes the importance of restoring and protecting cold water tributaries. The report highlights Crystal Springs Creek and quotes Environmental Services Science and Monitoring Division manager Kaitlin Lovell. 

Originating from springs near the Reed College campus, Crystal Springs Creek is part of a 300-mile salmon superhighway out to the Pacific Ocean. The creek’s cold water provides salmon refuge when temperatures in Johnson Creek and the Willamette River rise.

The Times article details an effort underway to map cold water sources in the Columbia and lower Willamette rivers as targets for future restoration. It seems that the adage “location, location, location” also applies to salmon habitat, and focusing restoration efforts in the right place makes a difference.

Cutthroat at Reed College