The hatchery is and has been a crucial partner in the Kokanee restoration efforts. We can now celebrate the second safe transfer of Kokanee to Orcas Island to be reared. Read the latest great news!
In its natural state, water has an oxygen saturation level we call 100 percent, meaning the greatest amount of dissolved oxygen is available to fish to breath. However, outside forces can create a greater saturation of oxygen in the water than typically occurs. Because of the habitat and environment here at the hatchery, our oxygen level measurement recently registered 115 percent! The good news is that with that higher level, it allows for more fish in the raceways. Just wanted to share that with you today…
Today the hatchery released 526,607 chinook smolts into Issaquah Creek. We bid you a safe journey, baby Kings! Can’t wait to see you again in 3 years!!!
The first salmon of the season made an early appearance on July 11! The female chinook successfully made it over the lowered weir after several attempts. The following week, FISH summer campers were lucky enough to see a male chinook make it upstream as well!
Fish at the Ballard Locks:
FISH Docents have begun their weekly visit to the Ballard Locks! Every Sunday in August, volunteers educate the public on the chinook salmon entering the fish ladder on their way back to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery!
The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery has participated in the Kokanee Work Group‘s extended rearing program over the last nine months. In October, 250 of the juvenile kokanee were flown to the Long Live the Kings‘ facility on Orcas Island. Learn more and see additional photos HERE.
Flood Recap:
In early February, following heavy rainfall, we experienced a record flow in Issaquah Creek of 2,400 cubic feet per second which resulted in:
- Flood waters inundating the hatchery, and
- Piles of silt on the hatchery grounds, resulting in a huge cleanup problem.
Hatchery production remained safe but we came within 4 inches of floodwaters overtopping the raceways. Moreover, it was not good news for the naturally spawning coho, chinook, and, especially, native kokanee, who were most likely lost downstream.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of Washington Department of Fish and Game staff and FISH volunteers, however, the hatchery has recovered and our fish charges are safe. We are grateful to everyone who pitched in and are once again humbled by what nature can bring.
A Second Transfer of Kokanee to Orcas Island!
The hatchery is and has been a crucial partner in the Kokanee restoration efforts. We can now celebrate the second safe transfer of Kokanee to Orcas Island to be reared. Read the latest great news!
Water Quality at the Hatchery
In its natural state, water has an oxygen saturation level we call 100 percent, meaning the greatest amount of dissolved oxygen is available to fish to breath. However, outside forces can create a greater saturation of oxygen in the water than typically occurs. Because of the habitat and environment here at the hatchery, our oxygen […]
Chinook Release Today!
Today the hatchery released 526,607 chinook smolts into Issaquah Creek. We bid you a safe journey, baby Kings! Can’t wait to see you again in 3 years!!!
First Chinook Arrival at the Hatchery!
The first salmon of the season made an early appearance on July 11! The female chinook successfully made it over the lowered weir after several attempts. The following week, FISH summer campers were lucky enough to see a male chinook make it upstream as well! Fish at the Ballard Locks:FISH Docents have begun their weekly […]
Kokanee Release!
The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery has participated in the Kokanee Work Group’s extended rearing program over the last nine months. In October, 250 of the juvenile kokanee were flown to the Long Live the Kings’ facility on Orcas Island. Learn more and see additional photos HERE.