White River: “Pink Salmon”
Large spots and pronounced dorsal hump distinguish this salmon [Pink Salmon] from other species. Appear silvery with white belly when spawning. There is no reference to Pink Salmon having occurred in the park historically, but several recent observations of this species have been made in the White River. Mud Mountain Dam on the White River has historically blocked passage of fish to these rivers and their upstream tributaries within the park. On the White River, all salmonids are transported around Mud Mountain dam, and the Electron dam on the Puyallup now has a fish ladder, allowing improved fish access to headwater habitats. Mount Rainier is the largest single mountain system of glaciers in the contiguous 48 states with 26 major glaciers covering 35 square miles. These glaciers create many of the 470 mapped rivers and streams that occur within the park. Streams and rivers within Mount Rainier have been altered very little by humans and represent outstanding examples of pristine aquatic ecosystems of North America.
