The Coho Salmon Life Cycle Begins at the River Center 

The Dungeness River Nature Center is excited to announce the arrival of 500 Coho salmon eggs, now on display in the center’s salmon viewing room. These eggs, sourced from the Hurd Creek Hatchery, mark the beginning of a wonderful educational experience for the community. Over the coming months, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness the remarkable life cycle of Coho salmon up close, as the eggs hatch, develop, and eventually contribute to the health of the Dungeness River ecosystem.

The eggs are expected to hatch into alevins in early February, and the young salmon will remain hidden in the gravel, absorbing nutrients from their yolk sacs before emerging as fry. In the wild, only about 1% of salmon eggs reach adulthood, making each stage of their transformation a fight for survival.

As they grow into fry this spring, students from local schools will have the special opportunity to release them in the Dungeness River, where they will play an important role in supporting the local ecosystem. In this process, these young students will learn about salmon ecology, name their fish, and send them off with well wishes to start their journey downstream. This hands-on experience is not just educational, it’s a moment of connection between people and the river, a chance to witness nature in action.

This ongoing exhibit provides an interactive and educational experience that highlights the importance of Coho salmon to our local watershed. The River Center is excited to invite the community to witness this life cycle up close and learn with us. This salmon exhibit is a key part of the River Center’s ongoing mission to educate and inspire environmental stewardship.