Beginning in 2009, the Nisqually Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust, and the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group have been working to restore salmon habitat in Ohop Creek.

Over a century ago, farmers turned the creek into a straight-flowing ditch in an attempt to dry out the valley floor and create cattle pasture. However, deep clay deposits in the soil continued to hold water year round, and despite the failed effort to completely dry the valley the stream remained channelized. This summer, restoration is occurring on 1.5 miles of creek bed as the channel is re-meandered into the valley floor.

The Nisqually River Foundation is hosting a special event at Ohop Creek on Monday August, 25. Monday is the day creak flow will be switched over from the old ditch to the new channel. This means that all of the fish, crawfish, and other aquatic creatures that are left behind in the old channel need to be rescued and moved into the new channel.

The fish-out involves a LONG stretch of creek, approximately 3/4 of a mile. The work is going to be muddy, dirty, with prickly plants, sharp grasses, and potential bugs including mosquitoes. Come prepared with a water bottle, lunch and snacks, muck boots, waders if you have them, sun hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, bug repellent, work gloves, and rain gear if the weather requires it.

RSVP to Sheila Wilson of the Nisqually River Foundation by email, Sheila@nisquallyriver.org, or phone, 360-561-0203. Only 8 spots remain to participate in this special opportunity.