Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is a "mitigation" hatchery located on the Clearwater River within the Nez Perce Reservation near Orofino, Idaho. It is co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nez Perce Tribe. The facility oversees anadromous fish returning to spawn on the Clearwater River. The Dworshak Dam blocks access to the historical spawning areas for the steelhead, and it is too high for a fish ladder.
Chinook salmon, steelhead and Coho Salmon are spawned and reared at the facility. The hatchery attempts to mitigate or make up for some of the lost spawning area by capturing eggs and fertilizing them. The young fish are raised until they are large enough to begin their journey to the ocean, and are then released.
The hatchery is part of Dworshak Fisheries Complex, which also includes Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, the Idaho Fish Health Center, and the Idaho Fisheries Resource Office.
Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is open to visitors during daylight hours. The facility has a self-guided tour route and offers pre-arranged guided tours.
Dworshak Dam and Hatchery were named after Henry Dworshak, a Republican Senator from Idaho during 1946–1962.
External links
- Official site
- Nez Perce Reservation Transit Schedule
- Nez Perce Department of Fishery Resource Management
