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Puget Creek facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Puget Creek is a small stream in Tacoma, a city in the state of Washington. It starts in Puget Park and flows north into Commencement Bay, which is part of Puget Sound. The creek runs through a steep valley called Puget Gulch. This area is a 66-acre (270,000 m2) natural space.

People are working hard to help Puget Creek. They want to make it a healthy home for fish again. One big goal is to help salmon and trout return to the creek to lay their eggs.

A Home for Fish

Puget Creek is already home to different types of fish. These include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, and Cutthroat trout. For many years, groups have been working to make it easier for fish to swim up the creek. They also help plant trees and plants along the banks. This provides good cover for the fish.

Efforts to bring salmon back started in 1994. Young salmon, called fry, were released into the creek. People continue to improve the creek's habitat. This helps more salmon return. Since 2007, the Puget Creek Restoration Society has even had a special incubator for salmon eggs.

Helping the Creek

Since 1987, volunteers have been working to improve the Puget Creek Natural Area. They want to help fish populations grow. In 2000, a non-profit group called the Puget Creek Restoration Society (PCRS) was formed. This group helps restore the creek and teaches people about it.

Metro Parks Tacoma is also helping. They have a plan to guide the PCRS and other groups. This plan helps everyone work together to restore the Puget Creek Natural Area. It also helps spread the word about the creek's watershed. A watershed is the area of land where all the water drains into a particular creek or river.

Salmon Return

Puget Creek is special because it is one of only three streams in Tacoma where salmon might return. Work done in the late 1990s really helped. Coho and some Chum salmon were seen returning to Puget Creek to lay their eggs in 2000, 2002, and 2003. This shows that the restoration efforts are working!

How Puget Creek Got Its Name

The creek was named after Puget Park. The park itself was named after Peter Puget. He was part of the Vancouver Expedition in 1792. This expedition explored and mapped Puget Sound.

Images for kids

  • Puget Creek Natural Area 01

    Trail down toward the creek from 31st & Proctor, Puget Creek Natural Area.

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