In a good spawning area, adult salmon should be able to reach spawning gravel that has free-flowing water and is free of silt. Unfortunately, lakes and streams can be easily and often seriously damaged. Sometimes, the damage is caused by carelessness in mining or logging practices, or by poorly-planned city and community growth and the pollution that accompanies it. These factors are mainly beyond your control. But there are stream care guidelines which you can follow to help save and preserve our streams.
Insects fall off the vegetation and into the water, providing food for the fish.
Plant vegetation on the sides of a lake or stream to stabilize its banks - Any plants that have roots that spread and knit the soil help strengthen the banks and prevent them from being washed away during floods. Alder, cottonwood trees and willows provide good root systems for this purpose, and can be planted on the banks. Trees should only be removed when they block the passage of fish. Be careful when clearing land or building near streams - Heavy equipment in the stream can ruin spawning gravel, destroy fish habitat, and damage stream banks. Vegetation which has been damaged or destroyed by construction should be replaced as soon as possible because fish depend on it for food and shelter.