HATCHERY HISTORY

The hatchery was constructed in 1936-1937 under the auspices of the federal Works Projects Administration. The hatchery was built to restore the historic salmon runs of Issaquah Creek that had been damaged due to logging, coal mining and other development.

Prior to the hatchery construction, the site was once part of a city park and was connected to downtown Issaquah with a wooden bridge over Issaquah Creek.

In 1992, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, facing budget shortfalls, announced plans to close the historic hatchery. In response to its proposed closure, the citizens of Issaquah formed Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH), which included the City of Issaquah, the Muckleshoot Tribe, King County as well as the local business community. The group worked with state lawmakers to keep the hatchery open.

The hatchery was significantly renovated and expanded in 1997 through 1999, with more than $7 million in improvements, which included a new glassed-in viewing pond and fish ladder, improved rearing raceways, as well as updated plumbing and storm-water systems. Improvements also included the Watershed Science Center, which is used for educational purposes.

The lands on which the hatchery sit are owned by the City of Issaquah, which is leasing the site to the State of Washington on a 99-year lease.

For more details on the hatchery site's history, please visit http://issaquahhistory.org/sites/salmonhatchery.htm.