Nooksack River to Close for Tubing to Save Salmon

The Whatcom County Council has voted to ban floating the shallow Nooksack River beginning July 25 in a bid to leave endangered Chinook salmon unperturbed as they ready for migration.

Floating the Nooksack on inner tubes is a summer tradition enjoyed by thousands, but one which fish biologists believe further stresses an already challenged salmon population. With low water levels, water temperatures rise, making the river an uncomfortable place to be for the Chinook population which is at 98% below recovery goals. It is hoped that by removing human activity from the river, more fish will survive and return to upriver nesting grounds.

Read more at KUOW here.