Lessons and Activities

Salmon and The River - Learning Targets

I can understand why salmon are essential to the traditional lifeways of Native Americans in Oregon.
I can identify the life cycle of salmon in the Pacific Northwest.
I can discuss the impact of dams on the life cycle of salmon.
I can identify important contributions that tribes are making to salmon restoration efforts in Oregon.

Activity 1: The Cultural Importance of Salmon

In this lesson we’re going to learn about the significance of salmon to the lifeways and traditions of Native Americans in Oregon. The relationship of the tribes to salmon goes back thousands of years. I’d like to hear about any experiences you might have with salmon or with fishing. First, we are going to to watch this video titled, “Tribal Fishing Tradition Runs Deep”

Questions to Consider:

•How many of you have ever been fishing?

• How does the kind of fishing you do differ or look the same as the fishing in the video?

• Do you go often?

• Do you usually fish in the ocean, lakes, or rivers?

• What kinds of fish do you try to catch?

• Who do you go fishing with?

• What types of feelings do you experience when you are out fishing with family and friends?

• If you do not have experience fishing, does your family eat fish? What kind of fish? Does your family eat fish on a special occasion?

PBS First Salmon Ceremony Video (6 min)

Tribal Fishing at Lyle Falls OPB Newscast (4:19)

Salmon People Slide Deck.pptx

Activity 2: The Salmon Life Cycle

edu-Pacific-Salmon-Life-Cycle-Hexaflexagon.pdf

Activity 3: The Impact of Dams on Salmon

PBS Learning Oregon | Activity 7.4: Restoring Rivers

PBS Learning - Oregon | Activity 7.5: Salmon and Dams

Salmon People Slide Deck.pptx

For Activity 3 view slides 20-26 along with lesson notes. Refer to steps 1-8 in the lesson plan.

ScienceMan Digital Lesson - Biology - Fish Ladders

In this digital lesson, ScienceMan discusses the challenges faced by migrating fish and how technology is used to help fish overcome the dam obstacles in rivers. (2:24)

Columbia Snake River Passage (8:23)

Note: This video is from 10 years ago.

What do you think would happen to the salmon if something blocked the river or stream where they were born? Talk with a partner about your thoughts.

This video will show how hydroelectric dams work and how the impact they have on migrating salmon.

Activity 4: Tribal Salmon Restoration Efforts

What is a riparian zone and how are they important to salmon?

What is a watershed?

Ore. Officials Restore Vanishing Salmon Species (1:58)

The hook-nosed, red-hued coho salmon disappeared from northeastern Oregon more than 30 years ago, but now the Nez Perce tribe and Oregon wildlife officials are working together to restore a population in a remote corner of the state. (March 10, 2017)

Salmon Habitat Restoration In Coos Bay (1:22)

The District was recognized for its cooperative efforts to restore habitat for coho and Chinook salmon, resident and searun cutthroat trout, steelhead trout, and both Pacific and brook lamprey as well as numerous other aquatic and riparian species. From 2006-2010, the BLM placed more than 3,600 logs and 14 boulder structures across 52 stream miles, accomplishing some of the largest restoration projects in Oregon

Human Impacts on the Environment: Salmon

A Civilian Conservation Corps film produced in 1933 that highlighted various places where the government was "rebuilding Indian Country." One of the sites featured was the fishery at Celilo Falls. (3:22)

Background Info on the end Celilo Falls in 1957

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (5:12)

Episode Feature: Hollie Fee interviews Paul Lumley. He describes and illustrates the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission's mission and role in protecting and restoring salmon runs, sharing native salmon culture, upholding treaty rights and providing services to native fisheries.

Jesse Beers, Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (3:15)

The history of the Siuslaw Watershed starts with the native people it is named for, the Siuslaw People. The stewardship of their river and surrounding lands by its earliest inhabitants cannot be overstated. In this video, Jesse Beers, Siuslaw Tribal Member and Cultural Stewardship Manager with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), addresses the ecological changes and impacts from the time of Tribal management beginning thousands of years ago to the more recent management of today.

Stearns Dam Removal, Crooked River, Prineville, Oregon (17:58)

The Crooked River Watershed Council along with collaborating partners OWEB, NOAA-American Rivers, BLM, and the project owner Quail Valley Ranch, removed Stearns Dam in October 2013.

Salmon Watch Video Collection

Salmon Watch (1:58)

Follow 11-year-old, Keyona, into a wondrous world of trees, water, and friendly fish... and find the spirit of Salmon Watch, a program that connects Oregon youth to their backyard river ecosystems.worldsalmoncouncil.org/salmonwatch/Produced by Freshwaters Illustrated in Partnership with World Salmon Council, Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife, US Forest Service, Marion Soil & Water Conservation District, Calapooia Watershed Council, The Blueprint Foundation, Unidos Youth Education, & many others.

SMOLT - The Science of Salmon Outmigration (3:43)

Follow the Spring journey of young salmon smolts as they make their way to the Ocean, and discover the conservation needs of these diverse fishes. Learn more at: jonwmoore.org/estuaries-salmon

How Wood Works - Exploring how large wood shapes fish habitat.

See how scientists are working to restore river habitat using wood logs to help salmon and other living things thrive in their ecosystem. (3:06)

Releasing the Fry - Things to Know

Transporting the fry:

- To be completed as close to the release time as possible. Oxygen and temperature levels will begin changing as soon as the fry are removed from the tank environment. Allow 45 minutes for collecting fry, it’s usually not a quick process.
- Use a pitcher or other scooping tool to move most of the water from your tank to a clean bucket.
- Use a net or cups to carefully move the fry from the tank to the filled bucket.
- Cover the bucket with a lid (if possible), and make sure the bucket is carefully transported with minimal disturbance.
- Noise, heat, and jostling can shock or kill the fry. Be cautious and quiet.
- If a bucket is unavailable, the fry can be moved in individual cups filled with water from the tank. Be extra careful that students keep their cups as still as possible.

Arriving at the release site:

- Ideally, choose a location that is not too deep (threat of predators) or too shallow (dirtier water). Avoid a strong current.
- Look for a spot with enough cover to shade the river, overhanging vegetation, and wood structures that provide refuge. Use this opportunity to review healthy salmon habitat with students.
- Place your bucket or container in the stream and wait until the water temperature of the bucket is similar to water temperature of the stream – within 2-3 degrees Celsius or 4-6 degrees Fahrenheit – small amounts of stream water can be added to the bucket over time to speed up this process and acclimate fish to new water chemistry. Do this first thing when you arrive to avoid wasting time waiting.

Releasing the fry:

- Allow some stream water to flow into the bucket or cups.
- Wait a few moments, then submerge the bucket or cups fully, allowing the fry to swim out. Avoid pouring them above the water surface.

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