Pacific Lamprey Survey at Salmon Creek

Date: Saturday, October 10 (10:00 - 3:00) and Sunday, October 11 (10:00 - 3:00)

Location: Meet at Harry Gardner Park in Toutle, WA

Description: Pacific lamprey are an ancient fish that like salmon, spend the early part of their lifecycle in freshwater, migrate downstream to live their adult stage in the ocean before returning to rivers and streams to spawn and die. Juvenile Pacific lamprey have been found in Salmon Creek, a tributary of the Cowlitz River. In 2025 and 2026, CFC installed woody structures in Salmon Creek and its tributaries to improve habitat for lamprey, salmon, and other aquatic species.

Join us for a post-implementation survey for Pacific lamprey. By conducting surveys before and after installing woody structures we will gain insight into where lamprey are found in the stream and how they are utilizing the habitat our structures will create. We will be surveying on both Saturday and Sunday. You are welcome to register for both days however if you would like to stay overnight in the area, you will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation or camping.

Work Conditions: We will be walking in and alongside the stream throughout the survey. In areas of ideal lamprey habitat, we will use trays to sort through sediment samples to search for juvenile lamprey. We may have to navigate over obstacles like downed logs and slash in and out of the stream.

Gear: Please bring rubber boots or waders, appropriate layers for the weather, sun protection, insect repellant, a daypack to carry your gear in the field, and enough food and water for the day. You may find a trekking pole or walking stick useful for walking in the stream.

CFC will provide all the survey equipment. We also have rubber boots available to borrow. Your registration confirmation will include a complete gear list and information on how to borrow boots. 

Transportation and Vehicle Access: We will meet at Harry Gardner Park in Toutle, WA and caravan to Salmon Creek. We expect to encounter logging trucks while accessing our survey sites so we will get into fewer vehicles at the park to reduce traffic. Our work site is located on forest roads, several miles from the nearest paved road and lower clearance vehicles like sedans are not recommended. Please contact us at trips@cascadeforest.org if transportation is a barrier to participation. We can arrange carpools if necessary.

An Important Note about Communication: Please register with an email you check frequently. In the unlikely event that we need to change the meeting location or time or cancel the trip, we will contact you via the email on your registration. You will receive a confirmation email after registering. If you do not see it, please contact us at trips@cascadeforest.org.