Chehalis Underwater Cam 2018-2020 Discussion, Observation, Screenshots & Videos

[gemini]

Chehalis River Underwater Cam - Discussion, Observation, Screenshots & Videos

Link to the Cam
- https://hancockwildlife.org/chehalis-hatchery-cam


Link to the start of previous seasons in this thread:
2020/2021 Season starts here
2019/2020 Season starts here
2018/2019 Season starts here


2012-2018 discussion thread:
start of season 2017/2018
start of season 2016/2017
start of season 2015/2016
start of season 2014/2015
start of season 2013/2014




2011/2012 Discussion thread

This thread is set up to provide a place to talk about things directly related to what's happening under the water in the spawning channel, as viewed by our cam at the entrance to the Chehalis Fish Hatchery.

Because this camera may be watched by school classes and we encourage children to visit the forum to learn about eagles and the other wildlife whose life cycles are linked to theirs - like salmon - we will be following a strict interpretation of our basic "no obscenity" rule, and we would appreciate your not using even the mild expletives and descriptions of bodily functions - gosh and golly are permitted - please consider some mythical maiden aunt or uncle looking at the forum with their great niece or nephew before using anything stronger.

"Poop" is an allowed word when referring to something done by an eaglet. We know that some words which describe bodily functions are also used as casual slang in some areas - but because they are considered far more impolite in some regions than others, we may change them to family-friendly alternatives. No PM is required because notice is being given here.

There is to be no discussion of politics or religion. And there is to be absolutely no personal attacks or bullying. All opinions are welcome and everyone's point of view is to be respected.

This is to some extent a self-regulating forum - and we all need your help to keep the forum running smoothly. If you see a post that has language that might upset a school board or that seems impolite or disrespectful to another person - please bring the post to our attention.


Thank you for your help!

[gemini]

THE CHEHALIS RIVER UNDERWATER CAM

The Chehalis River is a tributary of the Harrison River, which is in turn a major tributary of the Fraser River. The HWF underwater cam is located in the spawning channel at the entrance to the Chehalis Fish Hatchery situated on the shores of the Chehalis river. The cam gives us an up close and personal view of several species of salmon and trout returning to the Fish Hatchery and the Chehalis and Harrison Rivers to spawn.

The Chehalis/Harrison Area Map: (click 2x for full view)

Commonly seen at the fish hatchery but not limited to, are:

Chinook Adults: October to November
Coho Adults: June to November
Steelhead Adults: March to April
Coho Juveniles: All Year
Chinook Juveniles: March to May


USEFUL LINKS TO ENHANCE YOUR SALMON LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Pacific Salmon and their Circle of Life - Video by: Bob Turner
Chehalis Fish Hatchery - What kind of salmon is it?
Chehalis Fish Hatchery - River Salmon and Trout Enhancement Facility
Salmonid Timing in the Chehalis River
The relationship Between Salmon and Trout Explained

[gemini]

SPECIES OF SALMON INDIGENOUS TO THE COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

There are five species of salmon indigenous to the Coast of British Columbia and although we cannot guarantee you will see them all, they can and do make their way to our cam at one time or another.

((click on an image for detailed information of the species by Fisheries and Oceans, Canada))

Chinook Salmon - (spring, tyee and king)-------------Coho Salmon - (blueback and silver)


Sockeye Salmon (red salmon)---------------------------Pink Salmon - (humpy)


Chum Salmon - (dog salmon)

[gemini]

TROUT

In amongst the abundance of salmon that are seen on our cam, will be a variety of trout swimming in the mix. Here are but a few:

(click on an image for more information from Wikipedia)





USEFUL LINKS TO ENHANCE YOUR TROUT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Chehalis Fish Hatchery Underwater Cam Live: TBA
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Describe Trout
The relationship Between Salmon and Trout Explained

[gemini]

A few images from past seasons:

[JudyB]

July 26, 2019
The fish cam is now live - thanks, Ken and David!

We're not seeing many fish yet - but they should be running soon!

[nightowl]

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2019

[JudyB]

Thanks for checking in and posting the date, nightowl! The camera has been sort of up and down for the past week, but I think we're on track now.

Ken has been working with the folks at the hatchery on the best location for the cam, and he's been doing a lot work with the cam settings to optimize them for this environment - and we're beginning to see fish!

[SueD]

So happy to see this camera up and running again! Thank you, Ken and all!

[nightowl]

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019

[JudyB]

Good afternoon, everyone! I've just had an update on this cam from our tech person Ken. He went up to Chehalis today to see why the cam wasn't working, and he and the team at the hatchery determined that the cable had been cut underwater - probably by an otter.

We agreed that it's nice we're providing enrichment for otters - but that's not helping us see the fish! Ken has brought the cam back to his place and will be replacing the cable (splicing doesn't work well for underwater installations), and hopes to have it back online soon.

[IrishEyes]

Good afternoon, everyone! I've just had an update on this cam from our tech person Ken. He went up to Chehalis today to see why the cam wasn't working, and he and the team at the hatchery determined that the cable had been cut underwater - probably by an otter.

We agreed that it's nice we're providing enrichment for otters - but that's not helping us see the fish! Ken has brought the cam back to his place and will be replacing the cable (splicing doesn't work well for underwater installations), and hopes to have it back online soon.

Thanks Judy for letting us know and so sorry this happened ... and thank your Ken for all you do and good luck...hope to be watching this cam soon!

[JudyB]

Just got an update from Ken (August 28, 10:30 am) - the cam's back in the water and it's streaming! He initially had some issues with condensation inside the cam, but happily the cam's internal heating element seems to be dispersing that.

As always, there is just one problem. A big piece of algae or maybe seaweed seems very attracted to the cam....

I asked Ken if maybe that would help wipe mud and little bits of algae off the lens, and he seemed pretty skeptical. And happily the removal of this piece of seaweed is something the staff at the hatchery can and will take care of, and they may point the cam a little more downwards so we see more of the fish - and there are fish when they're not blocked by the giant green monster!

Enjoy!

[IrishEyes]

Thanks Judy and thanks Ken

6:24p
Cam is down

[SueD]

10:27-10:33 a.m.: A fair bit of salmon activity. But the cam seems to have frozen at about the 10:45 a.m. mark.