The local paper had a headline Friday that read “Area rivers at historic low flows.”
Though our rainfall last winter was almost normal rainfall the snowfall in our mountains was pitifully meager – 7 percent of average. And that snowpack feeds the regional rivers.
River flows are low and warm and mortality rates are high for our spawning salmon. Two Olympic Peninsula rivers, the Elwah and Calawah, were measured at their lowest flow rate for the month of June in 117 years. All of our rivers are now flowing at rates more typical of late summer or early autumn.
It is a natural cycle. I have seen it happen here.
It is amazing how low our waters are. There are small waterfalls that have completely ceased to flow – and Whatcom Falls is at about 1/4 or less. I don’t even want to think about what it will be in the fall. Mt. Baker has very little snow pack – and the Sisters are completely bare again this year.
Wading in the creeks and rives is easier – but bad for our spawning fish, I agree.
Low rivers, hot sun, flash fires. The West is feeling some pain this summer.
It is encouraging to hear that the rivers may be slowly recovering their water level. So sorry that it has been hard on the salmon.
Much of the west really needs a lot of snow and rain.
Let’s hope this winter bails you out.