Our goal is simple.
To restore the Skykomish River’s steelhead and salmon population by hatching a new future with enhanced hatchery science and technology that breathes life into the wild fish runs, fisheries, and the ecosystem.
According to a report by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, some salmon species are “on the brink of extinction.” Ten of the fourteen populations of salmon and steelhead listed as threatened or endangered in Washington under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) are not making progress. Of those ten, five are in crisis.
The Heritage of the Sky
The name “Skykomish” comes from the Northern Lushootseed word /sq’íxʷəbš/, meaning “upriver people”, from /q’íxʷ/, “upstream.” It is the name of a Southern Coast Salish group. This 29-mile river rivals some of the most beautiful paddling water in the world and was once known to be one of the best rivers for salmon and steelhead fishing. It has five waterfalls and is a free-flowing river with no dams.
However, the Skykomish River needs our help. It has been featured on the endangered rivers list twice. In the 1980s, the Snohomish watershed saw wild winter steelhead runs above 10,000. Now, we see around 1,000. Despite $21 million taxpayer dollars spent, the Sky is not being restored.
Here at Sky River Restoration, our goal is to leverage the best-in-class habitat restoration and brood stocking techniques to restore the wild fish run and ecosystem (including predator populations) while also sustaining a world class fishery for commercial, tribal, and sport anglers.
