The Salmon Hole is a dichotomous place, it is a beautiful nature area situated within eye shot of Winooski’s main stretch. This makes this place unique. Right now, there is a small salmon run going up the Winooski river, this is what has given this place its name “Salmon Hole”. Geologically, Salmon Hole is also quite unique, it has exposed slabs of dolomite bedrock, contrasted by large limestone cliffs that show years and years of erosion, sedimentation and the history of this place. The fluvial geomorphology of Salmon Hole can tell us a lot about the species that inhabit it as well as its history. Salmon hole has fast moving rapids, deep pools, shallow pools, as well as deep fast moving currents. Salmon use the fast moving rapids to direct themselves up stream to where they spawn, bass and perch live in the deep pools and come to the shallows to spawn, and trout “hold” in the deep currents during the winter and “hold” in shallower currents during warmer months. It is frankly so cool to me that something as simple as a river carving bedrock over time can create habitats that are suitable for so many different species. Another interesting thing about Salmon Hole is the Salmon lift. It is another example of how closely nature and humanity are related. The salmon that live in the Winooski River spawn further upstream than Salmon Hole but, there is a dam in the way. To combat this, Vermont Fish and Wildlife installed a fish lift. It puts out a current that forces the fish to jump into a basket. Once a day, a ranger comes by and records the lengths and species of the fish in the basket, then raises the lift and moves them upstream. This is a great example of how humans can fix a problem that they have created.
Field notes from 10.24.19 2:30pm
-River is at 2800 CFS (Not observed but important to not when fly fishing)
-little to no bird species present
-light rain and wind, 60 degrees fahrenheit
-water is clear to tea colored
-fall foliage is in full bloom
Field notes from 10.10.19 3:30pm
-River is at 1800 CFS
-62 degrees fahrenheit
-raptors, gulls, and waterfowl are present
