Rock Creek Hatchery temporarily closed to public, March 11

Rock Creek Hatchery will temporarily be closed to the public during raceway reconstruction. The closure begins March 16 and is expected to continue through June. Two 75-year-old raceways for South Umpqua River winter steelhead broodstock will be reconstructed into four, increasing rearing capacity by 25 percent and allowing biologists to conduct research studies. The estimated $600,000 project is being completed by Deschutes Construction Corporation of Bend, Oregon. Funding is through the Restoration and Enhancement Program which generates revenue by a surcharge on sport fishing licenses, and a $20,000 matching grant from the Umpqua Steelhead Enhancement Derby.