THE STICKLEBACK
Stories from the watershed.
The Stickleback is where we share stories from the Jordan River watershed. Here you can find updates from the field, community voices and the history, science and stewardship taking place. It’s a space to better understand the watershed we share and what it will take to care for it, now and into the future.
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Logging the Jordan River: Rail, Roads and a Changing Watershed
Industrial logging in the Jordan River watershed began with large land deals, followed by rail access and later road expansion into the valley. By the mid-20th century, much of the accessible old-growth had been removed. Historical records trace how those shifts in access and scale reshaped the landscape, with impacts visible in the river, estuary and surrounding forest.
From River to Sea: The Impact of Salmon Decline in the Jordan River
The Jordan River once supported salmon runs that connected this watershed to the wider Salish Sea. Today, those runs have declined. As salmon disappear from rivers like this one, the impacts extend beyond the watershed, reaching species like the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Sediment and Water Testing at Maple Bay
Sediment and water testing at Maple Bay in the Jordan River watershed reveals elevated copper levels in both sediment and the water column. Set within a site with a history of mining, dumping and industrial activity, these findings help build a clearer picture of current conditions and highlight the need for continued monitoring and investigation.