fish travel up waterfall

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What happens to fish when they go over waterfalls?

Freefall into water is generally not a problem for a light, streamlined fish, but it all depends on the type and scale of the waterfall.

Vandana Gupta

Asked by: Toby Ellis, by email

It depends on the waterfall. Fish bodies are streamlined and relatively light so a long fall into water isn’t usually a problem. Niagara River expert, Wes Hill, estimates that 90 per cent of fish survive the drop over Niagara Falls. But a waterfall that cascades over rocks, such as Yosemite Falls, will be fatal to all but the smallest fish.

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Scientists learn secret to fish's ability to climb up waterfalls

By Charles Choi

LiveScience

A waterfall-climbing fish in Hawaii uses the same muscles to both rise and feed, researchers have discovered.

Scientists looked at the Nopoli rock-climbing goby (Sicyopterus stimpsoni), also known in Hawaiian as o'opu nopili. This plant-eating fish is found throughout Hawaii, and was once greatly relished as food, apparently being a favorite snack among priests.

Many gobies can inch their way up waterfalls with the aid of a sucker on their bellies formed from fused pelvic fins. The Nopoli rock-climbing goby, on the other hand, can climb waterfalls as tall as 330 feet (100 meters) with the aid of a second mouth sucker, which develops after their mouthparts move from a forward-facing position to under the body during a two-day-long metamorphosis into adulthood .

The goby, which can grow up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) long as an adult, feeds by cyclically sticking the tip of its upper jaw against rock to scrape food off surfaces. This behavior is quite distinct from other Hawaiian gobies, which feed by sucking in food from the water. Given the apparent similarity of the climbing and feeding behaviors of the S. stimpsoni species, researchers thought one might have developed from the other. [ See Video of Waterfall-Climbing Fish ]

"The fish gave us an opportunity to see how unusual behaviors evolved," Blob said.

To see if these behaviors really were as similar as they looked, the scientists captured Nopoli rock-climbing gobies from a stream on the island of Hawaii by net while snorkeling and kept them in aquaria.

They next filmed the gobies' jaw-muscle movements as the fish climbed and ate, either scraping food off glass microscope slides or climbing up angled plastic boards. They found that overall movements were indeed similar during both activities.

It remains uncertain whether feeding movements were adapted for climbing, or vice versa.

"To understand the sequence of steps in the evolution of this extreme behavior, we want to look at closely related species that do one of the behaviors, but not the other," Blob said. "This fish has relatives in many oceanic islands, such as the Caribbean."

The scientists detailed their findings online Friday in the journal PLOS ONE.

They will also present their findings Sunday at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meeting in San Francisco.

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The Fish That Climbs Waterfalls With Its Mouth

Hawaii's environmental extremes (read: a series of active volcanic islands isolated in the middle of the ocean) make it a hotbed of novel evolutionary adaptations. Take goby fish in the genus Sicyopterus , for example. These lowly little bottom-feeders spend their days sucking algae off the rocks of stream beds. But that same sucking mechanism also allows the fish to climb up waterfalls over 300 feet tall.

The question is how these two activities are related. The researchers say it may be an example of exaptation , which describes the situation when a trait evolves for one reason, but eventually serves another purpose. Feathers, for example, are thought to have originally evolved to keep birds warm, but then later became a means for these creatures to fly.

In the case of the goby fish, its sucker mouth may have originated as a feeding mechanism, but later became a mode of locomotion as well. Or perhaps the other way around.

Researchers can't pin down the evolutionary precursor from their study , which was published in PLOS One last week. Goby fish lay their eggs in freshwater streams, and once they hatch, the tiny gobies are swept out to sea. Here the fish mature without threats of lava flows, hurricanes or flash floods. Gobies spend their lives climbing back up streams and over waterfalls to start the process over again.

Most goby species accomplish this feat with a sucker on their stomachs, but those in the Sicyopterus genus inch their way up the vertical rocks by alternating between their stomach sucker and their mouth. Researchers studied the specific movements of the mouth involved in eating and waterfall-climbing and found that the two behaviors were closely related. Even if scientists can't pin down which came first, the fact that this fish can suck its way up a waterfall is still pretty fun to watch.

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The rock-climbing fish lives in Nanue Falls on Hawaii's Hamakua Coast (pictured).

How Fish Evolved to Climb Waterfalls With Their Mouths

Hawaiian fish uses same mechanism to climb and eat, study says.

When it comes to climbing waterfalls, the Nopili rock-climbing goby really puts its teeth into it.

The inch-long (2.5 centimeter) fish uses suckers in its mouth and belly to move up steep cliffs in its rugged Hawaiian habitat. (Related "pictures: "'Walking' Fish a Model of Evolution in Action." )

Because its freshwater habitat is easily disturbed—by a big storm, for instance—the fish often crawl up waterfalls to return upstream.

But how this odd creature evolved to trek vertical distances of up to a hundred feet (30 meters)—the energetic equivalent of a person running a marathon—was unknown, said Richard Blob , an evolutionary biologist at Clemson University.

Now, a new paper by Blob and colleagues in the journal PLOS ONE shows that the fish uses the same movements to climb as it does to eat algae.

Before Blob and his student team could study the fish, however, they had to catch one. That proved a bit tricky. For instance, a goby would watch as a wetsuited scientist, struggling against the current, inched closer—and then would scoot away. "You don't want to attach too much personality to these animals," but they almost had a mocking expression, Blob said with a laugh.

When enough fish were eventually caught, they were taken to a field laboratory in Hawaii. There the scientists filmed them feeding on algae-covered glass and—stimulated by falling water—climbing. "They'd climb up a garden hose if you gave it to them," Blob quipped. (Also see pictures: "Nine Fish With 'Hands' Found to Be New Species." )

By watching videos of both behaviors, the team concluded that the fish uses the same overall movements. For instance, the angle and distance at which the front part of the upper jaw protrudes are nearly identical during both behaviors.

This suggests that, at some point in its evolution, the Nopili rock-climbing goby repurposed one behavior for another—a known evolutionary phenomenon known as exaptation, in which a species will "take a structure or behavior and co-opt to do something totally different."

The Nopili rock-climbing goby has two suckers for climbing.

The classic example of exaptation is bird feathers, said Blob, "which may have evolved as an insulation structure before they were co-opted, or exapted, with some evolutionary changes for use in flight."

Though it's still unknown which behavior came first, the end result is a perfectly adapted fish.

"How finely tuned these fish are to this habitat is just amazing," said Blob.

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Hawaii Goby Fish That Can Climb Up Waterfalls Under Threat as Unmaintained Waterways Benefit Invasive Species

Unmaintained waterways provide an ideal habitat for invasive species, while they also pose a threat to the Hawaii goby fish, a species that can scale waterfalls with their suction mouths.

Hawaii Goby Fish

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research delves into ʻoʻopu nākea, a unique Hawaiian goby fish.

These fish exhibit a mountain-to-ocean lifecycle, starting in the sea and returning to freshwater streams to mature. Their fused pelvic fins act as suction cups for scaling waterfalls during migration.

Sadly, climate change and human interference jeopardize these native species.

Prior studies suggested they no longer relied on the ocean. But using advanced microchemistry, the UH Mānoa team found that 100% of ʻoʻopu nākea still crucially depend on the ocean during larval development.

This underscores the vital need to safeguard Hawaiʻi's freshwater ecosystems.

Impact of Unmaintained Waterways

Yinphan Tsang, a study co-author and head of UH Mānoa's Tsang Stream Lab, warned that neglecting waterways will reduce native species.

Larvae can't reach the ocean, and juveniles can't return upstream. Neglected waterways may see an influx of invasive fish, competing with natives.

The study, involving UH Mānoa, Oregon State University, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology, emphasized the interdependence of freshwater and ocean ecosystems in Hawaiʻi.

Shaya Honarvar, UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit director, stresses the importance of integrated ecosystem management, deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi's history.

The research underscored the need to monitor and protect water bodies, aiding native species migration and population growth.

Migratory Patterns

Researchers gained insights into the life cycle of ʻoʻopu nākea, a native Hawaiian amphidromous species.

Larvae are born in freshwater, flow to the ocean, and juveniles migrate upstream to complete their life cycle.

Decreased rainfall and more frequent droughts have reduced water levels in Hawaiʻi's streams, disconnecting some from the ocean and altering their flow patterns. Streams diverted for agricultural use further limit downstream flow.

Gordon Smith, a US Fish and Wildlife biologist, emphasizes the impact of human modifications on streams and estuaries, which are vital for conserving ʻo'opu nākea and other migratory freshwater organisms in Hawaiʻi.

Read Also: Shoot-to-Kill: Aerial Cull Ordered to Rid of Feral Horses in Australia State Park After Native Wildlife Risks Extinction  

Otoliths From 90 Fishes

The Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management plays a crucial role in monitoring and regulating stream diversions across the state, ensuring sufficient water resources for both the community and native flora and fauna in specific habitats.

Researchers utilized a new microchemistry method  to investigate the migratory history of ʻoʻopu nākea by studying otoliths, tiny calcium carbonate structures in fish heads used for balance.

Unlike previous approaches involving polishing, which risked removing critical microscopic portions, their team opted for non-polished analysis .

This approach aligns with their mentor's wisdom, the late Dr. Bob Kinzie III, who believed in the truth of otoliths, urging us to listen closely to their stories.

Otoliths, akin to tree rings, accumulate daily, with the center indicating the larval phase and outer rings representing adulthood.

By employing elemental microchemistry at Oregon State University's W.M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry, researchers delved into the larval environment of 90 fishes, concluding that all spent their larval stage in saltwater.

Jessica Miller, an Oregon State University professor, commended Cody's work as pivotal for future research and conservation of endemic Hawaiian gobies like 'o'opu.

Hannah Clilverd, an ecosystem scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, noted that this research enhances our understanding of 'o'opu migratory patterns and their streamflow needs, aiding in their survival.

Related Article: Voracious Invasive Egyptian Locust Found in Shipment From Italy, Border Patrol Reports Successful Interception in Detroit

Tags Hawaii , Goby Fish , waterfalls , Invasive species

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The Unexpected Way Some Fish Climb Up Waterfalls

The wide and varied creatures of the animal kingdom all have different habitats, behaviors and roles to play. Their biology, then, is adapted to enable them to thrive in whatever their unique area happens to be. For numerous different bird species, for instance, the skies and high nesting locations are their domain, hence their majestic wings.

Needless to say, not all birds have these. Per World Atlas , there are around 57 species of flightless birds, including some penguins. Many of these particular species are famed for their ungainly waddle on land and deft, agile swimming, another example of their adaptation to their specific habitat.

Fish, too, are aquatic animals and generally fantastic swimmers. They can usually breathe just fine underwater using their gills, but their drippy domain can pose unique problems. How do fish traverse the rushing waters of a waterfall ? Going down is one thing, but some species have developed a surprising way of climbing them.

The incredible Nopili rock-climbing goby

Fish, of course, don't really have bodies that are naturally adapted to climbing of any sort. Even so, some unique species battle on and achieve remarkable things despite that limitation. The mudskipper is one such example. The documentary "Wild Africa" stated in 2009 (per the BBC ) that a mudskipper is "not so much a fish, but half a fish," capable of evading the many threats in the water by climbing trees and finding high ground. Breathing on land is a very unique trait for a fish, but the multitalented mudskipper makes its own rules.

Without opposable thumbs, claws, or any conventional grasping tools, fish have to find ways to ascend using the familiar body parts they tend to have in common: their fins and powerful mouths. The latter, in particular, is crucial for some fish's efforts to climb waterfalls.

According to National Geographic , the Nopili rock-climbing goby, as its name suggests, has no problem climbing this tricky terrain. The outlet reports that this small yet formidable fish "uses suckers in its mouth and belly to move up steep cliffs in its rugged Hawaiian habitat." This goby is only about an inch in length, but it seems to be quite the powerhouse.

Gobies are some nature's most impressive climbers

In the 2013 paper "Evolutionary Novelty versus Exaptation: Oral Kinematics in Feeding versus Climbing in the Waterfall-Climbing Hawaiian Goby Sicyopterus stimpsoni" (via PLOS One ), Joshua A. Cullen, Richard W. Blob et al dive into this curious little fish and its incredible talent. According to the researchers, "these fish use an 'inching' behavior to climb waterfalls, in which an oral sucker is cyclically protruded and attached to the climbing surface."

The study went on to explain that the same species exhibits a similar and unusual way of eating, suggesting that it may have developed such behaviors in order to adapt to the unique challenges of its environment. Blob went on to explain to Live Science just how much the Nopili rock-climbing goby goes through in its attempts, which can result in scale waterfalls around 100 meters (330 feet) tall. According to Blob, such a journey would be the equivalent of a human "doing a marathon, some 26 miles (42 kilometers) long, except climbing up a vertical cliff-face against rushing water."

Every goby species, Smithsonian Magazine reports, has an attachment in the stomach region that enables them to climb like this. This is how these great survivors make new homes for themselves when their often-volatile environments are threatened and a waterfall would prevent them from reaching safer waters. The Nopili rock-climbing goby is simply the best at doing so.

Determined Fish Climb Waterfalls With Special Sucker Mouths

One goby species in Hawaii uses its suction-cup mouth for both feeding and scaling walls, presenting an evolutionary chicken-or-egg conundrum

Rachel Nuwer

Species evolve extreme adaptations to contend with the rigors of their environment. Microbes thrive in Yellowstone’s boiling springs ; kangaroo rats can live without ever taking a sip of water in the scorching U.S. Southwest; monarch butterflies can journey 3,000 miles just to enjoy a bit of Mexican sun. And to colonize new habitats, determined little fish climb their way up Hawaiian waterfalls with their suction-cup mouths, like reverse wall ball toys .

This superhero-like fish, the Nopili rock-climbing goby , are members of the Gobiidae family. Gobies are one of the largest fish families in the world, with around 2,000 species sharing the nomenclature. Many live in streams on volcanic islands like Hawaii, where life isn’t easy for these small, versatile fishes. Their stream homes are often subjected to lava flows, hurricanes and flash floods—and yet still the gobies persist. After a landslide creates vertical obstacles or a storm reworks the flow of water, those tenacious fishes inevitably turn up in the new upstream habitat, even if it’s separated from downstream areas by steep waterfalls.

To achieve this feat, gobies rely upon their singular evolution. All gobies possess an abdominal sucker, formed millennia ago when ancestral gobies’ pelvic fins fused. To scale waterfalls, most of the fishes use so-called “powerburst” climbing . They attach themselves to the slick wall behind a waterfall using their ventral sucker then rapidly undulate their tails, resulting in a shimmying action that slowly propels their flailing, sucking bodies up the waterfall.

The Nopili rock-climbing goby takes wall sucking to another level, however. Its mouth, located on the underside of its head like a cleaner fish, forms a formidable sucker that it uses to inch its way up waterfalls. Like a mountain climber, it takes turns sticking to the wall with its abdominal and oral suckers, slowly but steadily making its way up the sheer, wet rock. In Hawaii, these fish climb waterfalls up to nearly 330 feet tall.

So how did the Nopili rock-climbing goby pull off this super sucker mouth adaptation, while all of its relatives have to make due with just a measly abdominal sucker? The clue likely lies in the species’ feeding strategy. Most other gobies feed on small invertebrates or other fish, but the Nopili rock-climbing goby prefers to scrape tiny bits of algae, called diatoms, off rocks using a mouth-sucking motion mirroring the same movements it uses to climb walls. For an evolutionary scientist, this begs the question of whether the fish’s mouth first evolved for eating and then shifted to wall sucking, or vice versus. Scientists call this kind of evolutionary co-opting “ exaptations .”

Researchers from Clemson University and Saint Cloud State University wanted to crack this chicken-or-egg puzzle, so they decided to compare the oral mechanisms of feeding versus climbing in the Nopili rock-climbing goby. If the fish uses its mouth in two very different ways for feeding and climbing, then exaptation likely wouldn’t deserve credit for the interesting adaptation. On the other hand, if the same movements were at play for both activities, then the fish may have simply applied a regular activity (feeding or climbing) to a new role.

The researchers donned snorkeling gear and scooped up several wall-sucking gobies from Hakalau stream on Hawaii Island, in 2005 and 2011. They transferred the fish to a lab, where they observed several of their research subjects’ feeding patterns using high-speed video cameras attached to different sides of the aquarium. In another tank, the researchers also created a faux waterfall using Plexiglas situated at a 62-degree angle. They challenged the remaining fish to climb this wall and filmed those fish during their waterfall-scaling exertions.

From the videos, the researchers identified 23 anatomical landmarks involved in feeding and climbing. After statistically analyzing their results, the researchers report in a PLoS One paper published last week that they found that the Nopili rock-climbing goby’s climbing and feeding movements differed significantly. In other words, the fish are using different movements for feeding and for climbing. The differences, however, were small, and some of the behaviors were so similar they could nearly be superimposed. The puzzling combination of similarities and differences stumped the researchers, and they realized that more investigations would be needed before they could definitively tease out the species’ evolutionary history of feeding and sucking.

“However, strict similarity between feeding and climbing kinematics might not be a fair expectation, even if exaptation had occurred,” they write in their paper. “It may not be reasonable to expect patterns for one behavior to remain completely unchanged after being applied to another function.”

Like most things in science, goby evolution is complex and may not prescribe to a clear-cut explanation. “Exaptation with modification” may have to suffice for elucidating the Nopili rock-climbing goby’s unique talents—at least for now.

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Rachel Nuwer | | READ MORE

Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science writer based in Brooklyn.

Video: This Fish Climbs Up Waterfalls By Gripping With Its Mouth

How to scale a slippery 300-ft rock wall in the middle of a waterfall

By Emily Elert | Published Jan 8, 2013 2:00 AM EST

• Environment

One genus of goby fish has developed a radical adaptation to life in Hawaii’s rough-and-tumble streams: it uses its mouth to climb waterfalls.

Waterfall climbing is a critical skill for Hawaiian gobioids–the fish hatch in freshwater streams, but are quickly swept to sea in the fast-flowing currents, and spend most of their adult lives working their way back upstream. Most goby species accomplish this climbing by using a suction-cup-like sucker on their bellies to attach to the waterfall’s rock substrate, then rapidly undulating their bodies to propel themselves upward before quickly reattaching again.

But goby fish belonging to the Sicyopterus genus have a more economical method of vertical movement–their mouths act as a secondary suction cup, allowing the fish to inch upward without detaching completely from the slippery, steep rock wall:

The energy-efficient technique allows the fish to scale waterfalls up to 300 feet tall.

To find out how this extraordinary adaptation might have developed, researchers from South Carolina and Minnesota compared the suction-climbing mechanics of one Sicyopterus species with the suction-eating mechanics of other goby fish. Though the two activities–eating vs. rock climbing–are quite different, the researchers found that the fish employed similar techniques for both.

That finding , says Richard Blob, one of the study’s authors, suggests the evolution of a suction-like mouth for eating algae may have paved the way for the waterfall-scaling adaptation. “They basically just took their feeding behavior and turned it on vertical,” Blob says. Of course, it could have happened the other way, too–suction-climbing could have come before suction-eating, but common sense suggests that the eating behavior came first. After all, says Blob, “Most fish need to eat, but not all fish need to climb.”

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Secret to Fish's Waterfall-Climbing Ability Found

A waterfall-climbing fish in Hawaii uses the same muscles to both rise and feed, researchers have discovered.

Scientists looked at the Nopoli rock-climbing goby ( Sicyopterus stimpsoni ), also known in Hawaiian as o'opu nopili . This plant-eating fish is found throughout Hawaii, and was once greatly relished as food, apparently being a favorite snack among priests.

Many gobies can inch their way up waterfalls with the aid of a sucker on their bellies formed from fused pelvic fins. The Nopoli rock-climbing goby, on the other hand, can climb waterfalls as tall as 330 feet (100 meters) with the aid of a second mouth sucker, which develops after their mouthparts move from a forward-facing position to under the body during a two-day-long metamorphosis into adulthood .

"For a human to go the equivalent distance based on body size, it'd be like doing a marathon, some 26 miles (42 kilometers) long, except climbing up a vertical cliff-face against rushing water," researcher Richard Blob, an evolutionary biomechanist at Clemson University in South Carolina, told LiveScience. Indeed, an old Hawaiian saying is that as the Nopili clings, so will luck.

The goby, which can grow up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) long as an adult, feeds by cyclically sticking the tip of its upper jaw against rock to scrape food off surfaces. This behavior is quite distinct from other Hawaiian gobies, which feed by sucking in food from the water. Given the apparent similarity of the climbing and feeding behaviors of the S. stimpsoni species, researchers thought one might have developed from the other. [ See Video of Waterfall-Climbing Fish ]

To see if these behaviors really were as similar as they looked, the scientists captured Nopoli rock-climbing gobies from a stream on the island of Hawaii by net while snorkeling and kept them in aquaria. They next filmed the gobies' jaw-muscle movements as the fish climbed and ate, either scraping food off glass microscope slides or climbing up angled plastic boards. They found that overall movements were indeed similar during both activities.

It remains uncertain whether feeding movements were adapted for climbing, or vice versa.

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"To understand the sequence of steps in the evolution of this extreme behavior, we want to look at closely related species that do one of the behaviors, but not the other," Blob said. "This fish has relatives in many oceanic islands, such as the Caribbean."

The scientists detailed their findings online Jan. 4 in the journal PLOS ONE . They will also present their findings Jan. 6 at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meeting in San Francisco.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience . We're also on Facebook  & Google+ .

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Adventures with Holly & Bryan

Your travel guide to the best of the Pacific Northwest

Salmon Cascades: How to See Salmon Jumping in Olympic National Park

Published by

“Have you seen any salmon jumping yet?” I asked eagerly, turning to the woman crouched next to us on the rocky overhang.

She grinned and pointed at the churning river below. “They’re gathering in that pool below the Salmon Cascades. Every now and then, one of them will try to make the leap up the first waterfall.”

Bryan and I settled in on the rocks next to her, joining the small line of observers staring at the river. The water frothed through a narrow channel here, forming a deep green pool at the base of a jumble of rapids. Where the sunlight hit the pool, I could see the dark silhouettes of the salmon circling.

“Oh!” the group suddenly exclaimed as one. I gasped, too. A fish had leapt out of the green pool, but it hit the small waterfall too low and fell back to the lower level.

I had never seen salmon jumping before. Now I felt a strange shiver of excitement. To me, watching salmon jumping up a waterfall was one of the special wonders of nature, akin to watching the Aurora Borealis or seeing a shooting star.

Back in elementary school, we had raised salmon from eggs in a tank in our classroom. I remember peering at the orange eggs, our faces pressed against the glass. A metal bar covered in ice crystals extended into the tank to keep it cold. We avoided that metal bar as if it were a hot fire poker. The teacher had told us we’d get stuck to the salmon tank if we touched it, and we were sure she was right.

When the eggs had hatched, we set the tiny salmon free in a neighborhood stream, singing the Salmon Cycle song as we solemnly watched them retreat into the water.

Now, nearly 25 years later, I was astounded to see a grown salmon jump up a waterfall. It hadn’t even cleared the leap. But I was sure the next one might. I tried not to blink as I waited for the next fish to make the jump.

These Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park are one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to watch the salmon run. In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights of the Salmon Cascades and everything you need to know to watch the salmon jumping yourself.

Overview of the Salmon Cascades

When I first saw the marker labeled “Salmon Cascades” on a map of Olympic National Park, I was instantly intrigued. The Salmon Cascades are a set of small waterfalls on the Sol Duc River in Washington state. They’re about 3 1/2 hours by car from Seattle, or 5 hours from Portland. You can find them by navigating to “Salmon Cascades” on Google Maps.

A week after spotting that intriguing map marker, Bryan and I were driving along Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, looking out for the Salmon Cascades sign.

There’s a turnout near the cascades, with a parking lot and a restroom. A very short trail leads through a mossy forest to the viewing area. A sign at the trailhead reminds visitors that fishing is not allowed at the Salmon Cascades—please only view the salmon!

The overlook at the end of the trail has a wooden viewing platform and a variety of side trails that lead to closer vantage points on the rocks above the river. Take care on the rocks if you follow any of these routes, as the river bank is steep and can be slippery.

From the viewing areas along the river, you can see the series of small waterfalls that make up the Salmon Cascades. Depending on the time of year, salmon or steelhead swim upriver to spawn, and you can watch them jump up the small waterfalls. Below the cascades, you can see them gathering in the pool to prepare for the leap.

It’s amazing to see their strength and persistence. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to make it up the waterfall. We saw several fish make the leap, only to fall back down into the pool below. Definitely something to think about when we run into challenges of our own!

When to Visit the Salmon Cascades

Per the National Park Service , the best time of year to see salmon jumping at the Salmon Cascades is September and October (to see Coho salmon jumping). If you visit in the spring (the end of March through May), you can see steelhead. We visited on September 7th, and the photos included in this post are from that day.

Not planning to go? Check out our video below to see the salmon-jumping in action!

Our video of salmon jumping up the Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc River

We first arrived at the Salmon Cascades in the early afternoon. After watching the salmon jumping for a while, we continued down the road and took a beautiful hike to Sol Duc Falls. We stopped again at the Salmon Cascades in the evening on the way back, and it seemed their jumping frequency had increased. If you likewise have flexibility in your trip, I’d recommend checking out the Salmon Cascades in the evening or at a couple of different times of day.

Why Do Salmon Jump Up Waterfalls?

Salmon have a fascinating life cycle that leads to the phenomenon at the Salmon Cascades. The National Park Service has a great overview of the whole salmon cycle here , but here is a quick overview:

Salmon hatch from eggs in small freshwater streams. Coho salmon (the kind most often seen at the Salmon Cascades) stay in freshwater for a year or more after hatching. The length of time in freshwater varies a lot depending on the salmon species, with some salmon species migrating to the oceans much sooner.

After their time in freshwater, young salmon swim downstream into progressively larger tributaries until they reach rivers that feed into the ocean. They spend up to several years in the ocean, again depending on the type of salmon. Coho salmon spend only around 18 months in the ocean.

After their time at sea, they reverse the process and return to the small stream where they hatched. This journey requires swimming upriver against the current and navigating a plethora of river obstacles. Once back in their original stream, they spawn (laying and fertilizing eggs), and then die.

View of the Salmon Cascades

Waterfalls like the Salmon Cascades are just one of the many challenges the salmon encounter as they swim upstream on their journey to spawn.

Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest

Thanks for joining us at the Salmon Cascades! For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner . You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.

Happy exploring!

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Why Is It So Hard to Find Local Fish (Even by the Water)?

Seafood caught in nearby waters has long been left out of the farm-to-table movement. But these people have set out to get it into stores and restaurants.

Rick Stevens raking clams on his fishing boat. Credit... Lindsay Morris for The New York Times

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By Melissa Clark

Melissa Clark, a columnist for the Food section, has reported extensively on the environmental impact of seafood. She reported from Montauk, N.Y.

• Published April 23, 2024 Updated April 25, 2024

On a cold, windy February morning on Shinnecock Bay, on the South Fork of Long Island, N.Y., Ricky Sea Smoke fished for clams from the back of his 24-foot boat. The fisherman, whose real name is Rick Stevens, expertly sorted through haul after haul as they were dumped onto the sorting rack.

Among the usual littlenecks and cherrystones were delicacies that would make chefs swoon: sweet, plump razor clams; vermilion-fleshed blood clams; and dainty limpets (also known as slipper snails) with their inimitable saline, buttery flavor. Depending on the season, fishers like Mr. Stevens can bring in even more treasures, like scallops, squid, blue crabs, striped bass, mackerel and skate.

But almost none of them are available locally.

Recipe: Creamy Fish With Mushrooms and Bacon

Instead, at restaurants in nearby East Hampton, you’ll find pasta topped with Manila clams from the West Coast and shrimp cocktail with red shrimp from Argentina. At fish counters across Long Island, imported salmon fillets glisten in greater profusion than local mackerel and black sea bass.

Just a year ago, Mr. Stevens would have thrown those pristine blood clams and limpets into the sea. “No one wanted them,” he said.

The more popular parts of this catch (littlenecks, cherrystones, black sea bass) would be trucked to dealers at the Hunts Point wholesale market in the Bronx, then sent for processing (often overseas) and sold all over the world. Maybe — a week or more later — an even smaller portion, far less fresh, could make its way back to Long Island stores and restaurants. (Or so one hopes. What’s labeled Long Island seafood might come from any number of places. Seafood from big dealers like the ones at Hunts Point is notoriously hard to trace.)

This startlingly inefficient path seems as if it should be an aberration, but it’s standard in the United States, where seafood is routinely trucked hundreds of miles to centralized dealers, changing hands four or five times before ending up at a local fish counter or restaurant, in far worse shape for the commute.

But late last year, Mr. Stevens found a workaround by sending his clams to Dock to Dish , one of a growing number of small businesses across the country — including restaurant suppliers, shops, farmers’ markets and community-supported fisheries — that are dedicated to helping fishing communities sell their catch directly to local markets.

For chefs and home cooks, this means that finding truly fresh, local wild seafood is getting a little easier — at least for anyone willing to wade past the deluge of imported farmed salmon to find it.

Dock to Dish is committed to buying whatever seafood fishing boats bring in, limpets and all, then selling it directly to nearby customers, often within 24 to 48 hours. Chefs at New York City restaurants, including ILIS , M. Wells and Houseman , get to offer local specialties like exceptionally fresh royal red shrimp and blood clams.

“We want to wage war on branzino and Chilean sea bass,” said K.C. Boyle, who owns Dock to Dish with seven fishing families from Montauk. “We have fluke and black sea bass,” he said, “which are infinitely better and more sustainable.”

Shoppers at fish markets like Mermaid’s Garden in Brooklyn can buy sustainable, easy-to-cook fillets like hake and golden tilefish. And by cutting out the middlemen, fishers get more money — an average of about 20 percent more — for their catch, which supports their community.

“Every year, we lose more fishing families because of economics,” Mr. Boyle said. “The kids feel like they have to leave because they can’t make a living.”

Some 65 percent to 80 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, while the country exports much of its seafood (worth about $5 billion in 2023 ), said Joshua Stoll , an associate professor of marine policy at the University of Maine and a founder of the Local Catch Network . Sending seafood overseas shifts a significant portion of profits away from fishing communities that desperately need it.

All this means that the supply chains needed to support local seafood have been long neglected. But there are people working to rebuild them. And because of their work, finding local seafood is getting easier. The website Local Catch Network , which supports community-based seafood systems, allows consumers to search for local sources. And even some large retailers like Whole Foods Market have started programs in coastal areas, where they buy a portion of their seafood directly from fishing boats without going through middle men.

In New Orleans, Porgy’s Seafood Market buys all its seafood — to sell at its retail counter and serve at an adjacent restaurant — from local fishing boats. In a city surrounded by water, Porgy’s is one of the only shops devoted to buying direct from local fishers.

Porgy’s commitment to local catch is inherent in its very name. Although porgies are plentiful and sweetly flavored, they are small and hard to fillet, so most fishing boats consider them unmarketable.

“There’s a lot of great fish that are underutilized because customers aren’t familiar with them, like blackfin tuna and rainbow runners,” said Dana Honn, a founder of Porgy’s. “But the fishers know we’ll take whatever they have.”

For those who are leery about unfamiliar fish, the restaurant’s deep-fryer comes in handy, said Marcus Jacobs, a co-owner. “People will try anything on a po’ boy,” he said.

Yet while that may work for restaurants, getting home cooks to try something new is another thing entirely.

At Mermaid’s Garden , which gets its seafood from small-boat, domestic fisheries, persuading customers to choose lesser-known species, like pompano and porgies, is a daily challenge, said Bianca Piccillo, who owns the shop in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, with her husband, Mark Usewicz.

“People are already terrified to cook fish at home, so they don’t want to deviate from the recipe,” Mr. Usewicz said.

After being in business for a decade, the couple have educated their customers, shifting them away, for example, from farmed salmon (which they don’t even carry) to locally farmed steelhead trout, a more sustainable substitute.

“It would be so much easier just to sell farmed salmon, and we’d be financially rewarded for it,” Ms. Piccillo said. “But I wouldn’t eat it, and I’m not going to sell something I wouldn’t eat.”

Finding reliable sources took Ms. Piccillo and Mr. Usewicz several years, and it can be even harder for a restaurant just starting out, even one as on-trend as Place des Fêtes in nearby Clinton Hill.

“We didn’t want to be dependent on the distributors, so spent a lot of time banging our heads against the wall, asking people where to get stuff,” said the chef and co-owner Nico Russell.

Because of its small size and flexible menu, the restaurant can hand-sell supremely fresh seafood that’s delicious but traditionally overlooked, such as mackerel and skate.

Like many high-end New York restaurants, Place des Fêtes gets much of its fish from small dealers who work outside the usual system, like Sue Buxton of Day Boat Fresh in Stonington, Maine.

Ms. Buxton has been supplying chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller for more than 25 years, buying peekytoe crab, scallops and lobsters directly from local fishing boats, and shipping it to restaurants overnight. For decades, Day Boat Fresh was one of only a handful of options for chefs around the country who wanted this kind of rarefied seafood. But, working largely alone, Ms. Buxton could supply only a few dozen chefs, and even they had to know someone to get on her list. Home cooks looking for the same quality had nowhere to turn.

Much has changed since then. Ms. Buxton recently expanded by starting Buxton Boats Home Edition , which sells directly to the public.

Togue Brawn, who also sells fresh Maine seafood direct to consumers through two companies, Dayboat Blue and Downeast Dayboat , likens the increasing demand to the growth of farm-to-table movement.

Thirty years ago, you had to ask a lot of questions if you wanted to know where your vegetables came from, she said. Now, menus regularly list farm partners.

Ms. Brawn is following the same playbook with her scallops, labeling catches with their points of origin so her customers can learn about their merroir (the ocean analogue to terroir).

Empowered by this information, increasingly knowledgeable seafood lovers are helping to create change in the system.

“Chefs know their farms but not their fishermen,” Ms. Brawn said. “Seafood is finally starting to catch up.”

Follow New York Times Cooking on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , TikTok and Pinterest . Get regular updates from New York Times Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice .

Melissa Clark has been writing her column, A Good Appetite , for The Times’s Food section since 2007. She creates recipes for New York Times Cooking, makes videos and reports on food trends. She is the author of 45 cookbooks, and counting. More about Melissa Clark

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Moscow Sky Lights Up With Strange Glow After Explosion at Electrical Substation: Reports

N ew footage has emerged showing bright flashes lighting up the night sky in southern Moscow during the early morning hours of November 22.

Knewz.com has learned that there was an explosion at an electrical substation on the outskirts of Russia's capital city followed by an alleged power outage in "several" homes.

Video snippets, shared on Russian news channels like ASTRA , captured a series of flashes that caused the sky to change color. Smoke could also be seen rising from a building.

Corroborating the video, several Russian Telegram accounts reported an explosion near the south of Moscow and a subsequent fire at the Lyublino electrical substation, southeast of central Moscow, per Newsweek .

The local authorities from the area have since confirmed that an explosion occurred in the village of Molokovo, but they reassured the public that all vital facilities were operating as normal.

Russian outlet MSK1.ru reported the blaze at the substation and noted “several” power outages.

The town of Lytkarino, located to the southeast of Moscow, was one of the affected areas, as reported by the independent outlet, Meduza .

Additional power failures were reported in the southern Domodedovo section of the city. However, electricity was later restored to these areas.

One local resident speculated that a drone may have been responsible for the explosion, but additional sources are yet to support this theory.

Newsweek reported that messages on the ASTRA Telegram account run by independent Russian journalists showed residents near the substation panicking. One concerned Russian called it a "nightmare."

The incident follows an attack by Russia on a power station in southwestern Ukraine that left 2,000 people without electricity .

Knewz.com reported previously:

“ Russian forces launched a total of 38 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones during the later hours of November 17 and 18.

The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that 29 of these drones were shot down [...].

One civilian was injured as a result of the attack that targeted energy infrastructure in the southwestern Odesa Oblast.”

The assault came after repeated warnings by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia would try to cripple its power grid as winter approaches.

Ukraine's leader warned that if Russia resorted to attacking its power utilities, it would respond in kind.

Ukraine has conducted numerous long-range aerial drone strikes on Moscow since May 2023.

Most recently on November 20, it was reported that one such incursion was intercepted close to the city, per Kyiv Post .

Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed this and elaborated that the region's air defense systems intercepted the unmanned craft over the city of Elektrostal to the east of Moscow, as well as another over the Bogorodsky district, northeast of central Moscow.

The details of the recently surfaced video footage have yet to be independently verified.

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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