Salmon Monitoring

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Starting from the Watershed Action Center in Confluence Park, volunteers walk stretches of Los Gatos Creek and Guadalupe River looking for Salmon migrating upstream to spawn, building Redds, or spawning then document finds. Volunteers recover carcasses of fish that have already completed spawning and died, if they spot any, and recovery can be done safely and without entering the water. If not possible to recover, volunteers note location and photograph carcasses, sending photos and location to South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition's carcass recovery team. Volunteers note water temperature and test ph, phosphates, nitrates and oxygen levels.

No experience necessary. We will provide a brief introduction to the activity when folks arrive then provide instruction as needed.

To independently take photos and upload data, or go out again on their own to monitor salmon once trained, volunteers do need cell phones. We will provide access to the GIS mapping service upon registration for the event. However, as the activity leaders will have cell phones, those without phones of their own are still invited to participate in this training walk.

Recommended dress: hiking boots or athletic shoes with an off road tread, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and hat.