Fall is here and in the Pacific Northwest that means the return of cooler temperatures, rain clouds and, of course, salmon.

Thousands of fish are presently making their way up the region’s rivers including the Cedar River through Downtown Renton.

Throughout October, volunteers from the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed will be present at five sites along the river to teach residents about the epic journey that takes place each year as the salmon swim from the ocean, through the Ballard Locks and Lake Washington and up the Cedar River to spawn.

Volunteers will be set up at the Cedar River Library downtown, where viewers have an opportunity to stand directly over the river, as well as see the many changes humans have made to the river through the years.

Next down the line is Cedar River Park where you can see how some salmon are removed to be taken to a hatchery upstream.

At Riverview Park, naturalists share the human history of the area, while further up the Maple Valley Highway at Cavanaugh Park, residents can take a 30-minute tour past wildlife viewing areas and habitat restoration projects. Finally, at Landsberg Park in Maple Valley, learn about the greater Seattle area’s water supply and how some salmon are allowed to pass into the closed boundaries of the municipal watershed.

All sites except Cavanaugh Pond are ADA accessible, but parking is limited.

The events take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  each Saturday and Sunday throughout October.

For more information on the program or directions to the volunteer sites, visit www.cedarriver.org.