Washington's Rivers: Salmon Homes
Washington's Rivers: Salmon Homes
Rivers are very important! They are like roads for water, flowing from high mountains to the big ocean. In Washington State, there are many rivers, and they are homes to many fish, especially salmon.
The Path of a River
Rivers start in high places, like mountains where snow melts. The water trickles down, forming small streams. These streams join together, making bigger and bigger rivers. The water rushes down, carving paths through the land. These paths often lead to the ocean, where the river water mixes with salty seawater. Look at the water! It is on a big journey. Rivers create habitats that are critical to wildlife.
Salmon's Amazing Journey
Salmon are amazing fish! They start their lives in freshwater rivers. When they grow up, they swim all the way to the ocean. They live in the ocean for a few years, getting bigger and stronger. Then, something amazing happens. They swim all the way back to the same river where they were born. Salmon swim upstream through the river to lay their eggs where their lives started. This is called spawning.
Why Rivers are Great for Salmon
- Salmon:
- A type of fish that lives in both rivers and the ocean.
- Spawning:
- When salmon return to rivers to lay their eggs.
- Habitat:
- The natural home or environment of an animal or plant.
- Pollute:
- To make water or air dirty and unsafe.
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- 1Where do rivers usually start?
- 2What is spawning?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
âWashington's Rivers: Salmon Homesâ is a informational reading passage about River Ecosystems, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (350 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.