Conserve the Chinooks!

Chinook Salmon, the largest member of the salmon family, and struggle with the fact of being endangered. Chinook salmon or "king" salmon are found in many places along the Pacific coast. These interesting salmon thrive in fresh waters but they usually spawn in large river areas. The largest populations of Chinook salmon can be found in the Columbia and Snake River basins. Chinooks spend most of their adult lives out in the open sea but return to the fresh waters to spawn. (To spawn means to have their children.) The main cause of their endangerment is water management projects. Thankfully, Chinook salmon have been acting like real "kings" and toughing out these rough conditions and situations. Hopefully, one day we can bring the Chinook salmon back to their original state.

Where do these Chinook salmon stay and hide from extinction? Chinooks are usually found spawning in the biggest of the rivers and streams. They go to the rivers and streams simply due to there spawning habits. They are distributed throughout Washington. In Washington they are found in the water ways. The largest populations of Chinook salmons are found in Columbia and Snake river basins during the spring. This rather large family of salmon has played a big role in the social, economic, and political part of Washington's people. Thankfully not all types of Chinook salmon are endangered, Chinooks in the Upper Columbia River have been listed as Endangered. The Lower Columbia River Chinooks have been listed as threatened. Even though they aren't all endangered that doesn't mean we should stop trying to save them. We should strive for the best! Don't stop until both types of Chinook salmon are safe from being close to extinction