HATCHERY UPDATE

Work at the hatchery is a year-round job. It's not just about tending to the needs of salmon eggs. Surprised? Let's have a look at the year-round efforts of a few good hatchery volunteers.

Leaving it to Beavers

One of the ponds above the hatchery has become home to some beavers and in doing what all good beavers do they built a dam which plugged the culvert causing the water to rise, spill its banks and flood the road. 
 


Our Hatchery team waded in and cleared the culvert but the beavers persisted and once again the pond filled to overflowing. It was clear that these buck-toothed rodents weren't giving up and that a more permanent solution would be needed.

And so a cage was constructed of rebar. A cage to trap the pesky beavers you ask? No, a cage preventing the beavers from getting close enough to block the culvert. Unable to dam up the pond they decided to move along and find another home.

But we can't finish the story without a look at our Hatchery Team having fun. Well done Jack, Bob and Gord!

....and maybe some day we'll tell the real story of why you all ended up behind bars.

Bucket Brigade Rescue


Gord, Bob and Ernie spent several weeks rescuing smolts. This has become an annual rescue as the smolts are trapped every spring when Nash Creek dwindles in size and access to the sea is cut off. The smolts must be carefully caught, placed in buckets and quickly driven to the Nile for release before their oxygen is expended. This year 1700 smolts were rescued and released. That's a huge amount of time and effort but it is so very appreciated. Great work guys!


Cleaning and Maintenance

Bob Ellis cleans the limestone filter

Work continues inside and outside of the hatchery throughout the summer. Equipment requires regular repairs and maintenance and some new equipment will be purchased and installed in order to be ready for this fall's pink salmon eggs.

Ernie Buckley providing power to the people.

Outside the hatchery the wet spring has meant an abundance of new growth overhanging the road to the hatchery. One fine day some of our members came out and cleared the road of the brush and debris going beyond the hatchery and all the way up to the intakes.


The channels also need to be cleared of debris and silt so as

Gord, Suzy and friend hard at work and having fun.

not to hinder the pinks as they make their way up the creek to spawn. Their arrival is imminent as demonstrated by the gathering crowds of fishermen and spectators at the mouth of the Nile.

Thanks to all of our dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

Anyone interested in helping NCES with further maintenance, please call Jack Gillen at (250) 752-9925.