When their fragile eggs are laid in the redd and covered, all Pacific salmon die. Other anadromous fish, such as steelhead trout, Dolly Varden char, or some sheefish, return to the sea. Even in death the salmon plays an important role in the health of the watershed. They provide food for birds and bears but salmon carcasses also provide essential nutrients to the stream. Without carcasses the watershed would not be as productive and the habitat could not support the next generation of salmon.
People tend to think that only the water that they see adult fish in is important to fish.
Actually, good habitat, and clean water is critical at all stages of a fish's life cycle. Many major development projects are completed without having adverse impacts on Alaska's fish and game. With proper engineering and attention to the environment during construction, we can improve roads, build homes, and develop business, while protecting, and even improving, the habitat for our wildlife resources. But when people are careless about the environment they can do great harm. People usually do not destroy fish habitat on purpose.