Follow the journey of a lifetime
Each year, thousands of Pacific salmon return to our local watersheds to produce the next generation of fish. Salmon play a key role in our economy and are the cornerstone of our local ecosystem, which supports us all. These amazing creatures are also critical to the health and well-being of Coast Salish peoples, who stewarded these lands and waters for generations and continue to do so today.
Here in Seattle, we’re fortunate to host one of the few wildlife migrations that runs through the heart of an urban watershed. The Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed supports a threatened run of Chinook—as well as sockeye and coho—salmon. From May to September, adult salmon pass through the Ballard Locks on the final leg of their epic journey from the rivers and streams in which they were born, out to the ocean and back to these same rivers and streams. There, during fall and into winter, these salmon will spawn and die, and the Pacific salmon life cycle will begin again.
Questions? Please email us at fieldprograms@seattleaquarium.org.
Thank you for joining us on the river!
The 2025 Cedar River Salmon Journey season has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the river this fall!
Interested in becoming a Cedar River Salmon Journey naturalist? Check back later for more information on how to apply!
Take action on behalf of salmon
Start by checking out the Aquarium’s Act for the Ocean webpage, review salmon actions below or sign up for the Aquarium’s policy action alerts. Everything you do to help salmon also helps our southern resident orcas—and is good for people too!
Get involved
Volunteer, vote and share your knowledge with others
Conserve water
Sweep driveways, take shorter showers and use drought-tolerant plants in your yard
With your car
Take your car to a commercial car wash and have oil leaks fixed
In your yard
Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly, or just use compost
Around your dog
Pick up dog waste, bag it and place it in the trash (not in the yard waste bin)
At home
Properly use, store and dispose of hazardous household materials
RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES
Salmon field journals
Salmon bingo game
Salmon life cycle
Salmon activities for kids
Learn more about salmon and recovery efforts from Cedar River Salmon Journey partners
Salmon Conservation and Restoration: We Work to Save Salmon in Your Watershed (King County)
Living with Salmon in King County (a guide to salmon in King County)
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Cedar River Watershed and Fish (Seattle Public Utilities)
Salmon Conservation (WA Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Salmon Identification: Ocean Phase vs Spawning Phase (WA Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Protecting Surface Water in Renton (the City of Renton)
Washington State’s biennial report on salmon, their habitat and recovery efforts (Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
Webinar series on salmon of the Cedar River
Watch our webinar series and hear from an education specialist, a fisheries biologist and a salmon recovery manager about the challenges salmon face, their population trends and local restoration efforts in the Cedar River.
Part 1: The Cedar River, a lifeline for people and salmon (an introduction to the Cedar River watershed)
Part 2: Salmon and the Cedar River (an overview of Cedar River salmon and their population trends)
Part 3: Salmon Recovery in the Cedar River: Restoring a place where salmon and people can live together (salmon recovery actions in the Cedar River watershed)
Thank you to our supporters!
King County Flood Control District
MMS Giving Foundation
The WRIA8 Salmon Recovery Council
The City of Renton
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Seattle District
