Event Gives 4th-Graders Peek At Fish Resources

Hundreds of fourth-graders from throughout southwestern Idaho got a close-up look at some big fish and their habitat at the MK Nature Center as part of Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Days.

The three-day event that runs through today is being conducted by a coalition that believes solutions to the Northwest’s dwindling salmon and steelhead runs lay in education.

Groups as diverse as Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Nez Perce tribe - who have vastly different ideas about how to help salmon - gathered to help children understand the fish.

“What we’re trying to do is elevate education. Hopefully, it will cause people to seek more answers.” said John Gahl, a Fish and Game employee who volunteered to work with the students.

Fourth-graders from Fruitland Elementary School got their feet wet by performing water quality tests in the Boise River. Brandi Smith scooped up water and added chemicals to test the amount of dissolved oxygen.

Boise River passed easily with enough oxygen to sustain lots of fish.

“It was fun,” Smith said. “The water is very nice.”

Kyra Chatfield of the BPA led the children through several experiments. “What is the first thing you do when you go to the doctor?” she asked. “Take your temperature.”

Children tossed in a thermometer, retrieved it by string and looked at the results: 62 degrees.

“That’s good news,” Chatfield said, because many Idaho fish begin to suffer when the water hits 77 degrees.

The importance of the day’s lessons was not lost on the children.

Adam Smith, 10, of Fruitland, learned that when water is too acidic, fish die, and that mud sloshing downstream hurts fish and their eggs.

He also learned that people have to work to keep the rivers clean.

“Either you have the environment or you don’t,” he said.