Salmon Stewards & Celebration

Every year, you are invited to help celebrate salmon’s journey home to Pipers Creek in Carkeek Park.

Salmon Thrive in Clean Water!

Each fall, salmon return to Carkeek Park. From late October to early December, Chum salmon—and a few Coho, too—make their way up Pipers Creek to spawn.

Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Parks & Recreation, and the Carkeek Watershed Action Project collaborate to create unforgettable opportunities to see and learn about Seattle’s salmon. 

See the Salmon Up Close

Join us on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, for Carkeek’s Annual Salmon Celebration, a family-friendly event! Spanish translators on site. 

Four Ways to Keep Our Creeks Clean

Year-round, we can take simple actions to keep our creeks clean and provide a healthy home for salmon to return to!

• Visit a car wash
  Taking your car to a commercial car wash keeps soap and grime out of the waterways where salmon live.
• Keep drains clear of fats, oil, and grease
  Fats, oil, and grease clog drains and pollute water. Placing them in your compost (small amounts) or landfill keep salmon safe.
• Scoop dog poop
  Bagging pet waste and tossing it in the trash prevents harmful bacteria from hurting fish.
• Plant a tree
  Evergreen trees are highly effective water filters, making creeks cleaner for salmon. And fall is the best time to plant them! 

Meet Our Salmon Stewards

Want to learn more? Starting Oct. 24 through Dec. 5, volunteer Salmon Stewards will be available on Wednesday afternoons and midday weekends to help you spot the fish and answer questions about local salmon behavior, biology, and habitat.