Elwha River by Glines Canyon Dam observations about Salmon
By: Libby Y.
The temperature of the Elwha river allows the salmon to live well. The average temperature of the river is about 57°F, this temperature allows Coho and Chinook salmon to thrive. Steelhead, Pink, Chum, and Sockeye salmon could survive, but it wouldn't be as easy as Coho and Chinook salmon. They may have slight discomfort, but most of the species of salmon that live in the Elwha can survive in the temperatures of the river.
pH is a measure of how basic or acidic water is. The range of ph goes from 0- to 14. The pH levels in the Elwha river allows the salmon to live healthily. The average pH levels out of 3 tests is 7.5 the best level for the salmon to live in is also 7.5. The pH levels are at a good level for the salmon to be healthy. If the water is too acidic or basic the salmon can die, but the pH level of the Elwha is neutral.
Do is a measure of how much oxygen is in the water. Adult salmon a can survive in the river based on the dissolved oxygen level. The dissolved oxygen level is 6.5 milligrams per liter. Since 6.5 is the level that is fatal for baby salmon, they would not survive. Juvenile and adult salmon would survive, but with slight impairment. Overall only the adult salmon can survive because without oxygen in the water, they wouldn't be able to breathe.
The sediment size in the river, will allow the eggs and baby salmon to comfortably hatch,hide, and grow up into adult salmon. The average measure of the sediment size out of 30 tests is about 9.23 mm. If the sediment is too big it can crush the eggs and babies, if it is too small it can suffocate the salmon. For most salmon, if the sediment size is over 6.4 mm it will not suffocate them. The average sediment size is 9.23 mm, it is not too big or small to kill the salmon.
Turbidity is the measurement of cloudiness or haziness in fluids. The turbidity of the Elwha river will allow the salmon to live well. The turbidity of the water is 3 NTU which is very clear. If the water is not clear the particles of sediment in the water can get stuck in their gills and prevent the salmon from breathing. The salmon can live well because the turbidity of the water is low.
Macro invertebrates live in water under rocks. Only certain types of macros can live in certain types of water. For example, if the water is highly polluted certain types of worms can live in the water, if the water has low pollution certain types of flies can live in it. In the Elwha river we found mayflies and stone flies living under the rocks. Mayflies and stone flies live in low polluted waters. Since salmon can only live in low polluted bodies of water, they would be able to live in the Elwha river.
Can the salmon live in the Elwha river?
Only adult and strong young salmon can live in the river because there is not enough dissolved oxygen. Without the dissolved oxygen the salmon cannot breathe and eventually die. Temperature can affect the dissolved oxygen levels; if it is cold the river can hold more oxygen, if it is warm it holds less. This year in 2015, it has been unseasonably warm and dry, which could affect the dissolved oxygen levels. If we receive more rain next year, the dissolved oxygen levels may become suitable for baby salmon. Overall, if it wasn't for the dissolved oxygen levels, the Elwha River would be the perfect place for salmon to grow up in.
pH is a measure of how basic or acidic water is. The range of ph goes from 0- to 14. The pH levels in the Elwha river allows the salmon to live healthily. The average pH levels out of 3 tests is 7.5 the best level for the salmon to live in is also 7.5. The pH levels are at a good level for the salmon to be healthy. If the water is too acidic or basic the salmon can die, but the pH level of the Elwha is neutral.
Do is a measure of how much oxygen is in the water. Adult salmon a can survive in the river based on the dissolved oxygen level. The dissolved oxygen level is 6.5 milligrams per liter. Since 6.5 is the level that is fatal for baby salmon, they would not survive. Juvenile and adult salmon would survive, but with slight impairment. Overall only the adult salmon can survive because without oxygen in the water, they wouldn't be able to breathe.
The sediment size in the river, will allow the eggs and baby salmon to comfortably hatch,hide, and grow up into adult salmon. The average measure of the sediment size out of 30 tests is about 9.23 mm. If the sediment is too big it can crush the eggs and babies, if it is too small it can suffocate the salmon. For most salmon, if the sediment size is over 6.4 mm it will not suffocate them. The average sediment size is 9.23 mm, it is not too big or small to kill the salmon.
Turbidity is the measurement of cloudiness or haziness in fluids. The turbidity of the Elwha river will allow the salmon to live well. The turbidity of the water is 3 NTU which is very clear. If the water is not clear the particles of sediment in the water can get stuck in their gills and prevent the salmon from breathing. The salmon can live well because the turbidity of the water is low.
Macro invertebrates live in water under rocks. Only certain types of macros can live in certain types of water. For example, if the water is highly polluted certain types of worms can live in the water, if the water has low pollution certain types of flies can live in it. In the Elwha river we found mayflies and stone flies living under the rocks. Mayflies and stone flies live in low polluted waters. Since salmon can only live in low polluted bodies of water, they would be able to live in the Elwha river.
Can the salmon live in the Elwha river?
Only adult and strong young salmon can live in the river because there is not enough dissolved oxygen. Without the dissolved oxygen the salmon cannot breathe and eventually die. Temperature can affect the dissolved oxygen levels; if it is cold the river can hold more oxygen, if it is warm it holds less. This year in 2015, it has been unseasonably warm and dry, which could affect the dissolved oxygen levels. If we receive more rain next year, the dissolved oxygen levels may become suitable for baby salmon. Overall, if it wasn't for the dissolved oxygen levels, the Elwha River would be the perfect place for salmon to grow up in.