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.
