SULTAN — The city is set to celebrate the return of the salmon to the Sultan River on Saturday despite the summer drought.
This time of year is critical in the salmon life cycle as they travel from the ocean to spawn in their native rivers. The amount of water in the river and its temperature affects the ability of the fish to conserve energy, avoid predators and reproduce.
To ensure there’s enough water for fish and people alike, Everett, Seattle and Tacoma are asking customers to continue to reduce use by 10 percent. During the past six weeks, the region collectively cut water use by 14 percent.
“We want to honor the return of the salmon but we also have to recognize, as humans, we play a role in that,” said Craig Young, who is helping organize the celebration in Sultan.
Young said they are expecting fewer fish than in years past because of the dry conditions this summer. However, he said, earlier this month the city of Everett helped the salmon travel upstream when it released water from storage in Spada Reservoir into the Sultan River.
The Sultan River watershed also received 10 inches of rain in the past three weeks, raising the water level in the reservoir. But the amount of stored water remains at 70 percent of normal for this time of year. In addition to celebrating the return of the salmon, the event Saturday marks a time of remembrance for Sultan’s namesake, Chief T’seul-Ted, also known as Sultan John. He was so respected by the European settlers they named the town after him, Young said.
“They had to shorten it to Sultan because they couldn’t pronounce it,” said Patricia Linn, a great-great granddaughter of T’seul-Ted, who now lives in Tulalip.
The Skykomish chief was a healer and guide to settlers. His family included the people of many tribes, including the Skykomish, Snohomish and Snoqualmie. Today, these are part of the Tulalip Tribes.
The salmon celebration is set to take set to take place at Osprey Park at 801 First St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a covered space, so the event will go on rain or shine.
Planned entertainment includes Native American storytelling, music, drumming, dancing, riverside tours, cedar weaving demonstrations and other activities.
A horse-drawn covered wagon will take people to tour the salmon hatchery at Sultan High School. They can take a bag with a fish in it from the hatchery and release it into the river.
“The kids get to take an active part in restoring the salmon,” Young said.
Organizers have arranged for a variety of food, such as frybread tacos and huckleberry shortcakes, to be served at the event.
People will also be collecting donations at the celebration to restore and move a statue of Chief T’seul-Ted that stands at River Park. It will need to be relocated when the city puts in a pedestrian bridge over the river, Young said.
The statue was made by late Sultan resident Jerry Carter in the 1980s. People who want to get involved in its restoration can go to the Friends of Sultan’s Chief T’seul-Ted Statue page on Facebook.
The Salmon Run is also returning this year with a 5-K race through Osprey Park at 10 a.m.. A one-mile fast walk also is planned at 10:30 a.m.
It costs $10 to walk and $20 to run. People can register online at skyvalleychamber.com or at the park at 9:15 a.m.
“It’s one day that reminds people about the health of our environment and our community,” Young said.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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