Searching for kokanee salmon

At Laughing Jacobs Creek, which flows into Lake Sammamish, student researchers examine the population of kokanee salmon.

The kokanee population of Lake Sammamish has been dwindling.

According to Dr. Jeff Jensen, teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, the kokanee, a type of sockeye salmon, used to swim by the thousands in these waters — but things have changed.

“About 8 years ago, we had a total of 18 fish return for all the streams in Lake Sammamish,” Jensen said.

After the lake flooded from atmospheric rivers late last year, Jensen and his team of student researchers headed to the water to see if any kokanee survived.

Learn more about their work on kokanee salmon preservation in the story by KOMO News, “UW Bothell students’ immersive ‘schooling’ searches for struggling kokanee salmon.”