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.
Seattle Aquarium naturalists will be stationed at the Ballard Locks on select Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See below for exact dates.
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, Aug. 3
Saturday, Aug. 9
Sunday, Aug. 17
Saturday, Aug. 23
Saturday, Aug. 30
Please note: Schedule subject to change.
