09-27-2008, 11:10 AM
The California Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Mount Whitney Hatchery will remain closed to the public due to the possibility of flood occurrences and ongoing cleanup operations.
"We realize the importance of this historical site to the people of the community and the state; however, safety is our primary concern," said DFG Regional Manager Curt Taucher. "DFG is collaborating with other agencies to fully assess the damage, which unfortunately is considerable. We will continue to work closely with our local support group, Friends of Mount Whitney Hatchery."
The hatchery, which is located in Inyo County, and the surrounding area were severely damaged July 12 when heavy rains pounded the already fire damaged Oak Creek watershed. This triggered a massive debris flow that killed all the rainbow trout, destroyed four buildings and buried the fish rearing ponds.
The hatchery site is located on an alluvial fan or natural mud flow out of the Sierra and thus is prone to such events, according to DFG geologists, who recommend closure until the watershed is stabilized.
Due to the high amounts of loose sediment still in large stretches of the creeks, the geologists also advise against reconnecting the hatchery's fish rearing water source until further studies are completed. Restoration of the watershed may take several years to complete and until that time, Oak Creek is susceptible to reoccurrence of flooding. Several alternatives for stabilizing the area are under consideration, but definitive plans have yet to be approved.
DFG remains committed to trout stocking goals in the Eastern Sierra. No disruption to DFG's stocking program in the Eastern Sierra is anticipated. Nearby Black Rock Hatchery, where fish production takes place for the Eastern Sierra, was not damaged and continues to stock fish on a regular basis.
Mount Whitney Hatchery typically produces about 8 million rainbow trout eggs annually and supplies eggs to DFG production hatcheries throughout the state.DFG plans to increase rainbow trout egg production at other state hatcheries to compensate for this loss.
"The recovery of the Mount Whitney strain of rainbow trout will take several years," said Taucher. "Until that time, we are taking steps to ensure our stocking program remains viable."
Media Contact
Gary Williams, Senior Hatchery Supervisor, (760) 245-9981<br />
Jana Rae Leiran, Hatchery Interpretive Services Coordinator, (916) 539-6644
"We realize the importance of this historical site to the people of the community and the state; however, safety is our primary concern," said DFG Regional Manager Curt Taucher. "DFG is collaborating with other agencies to fully assess the damage, which unfortunately is considerable. We will continue to work closely with our local support group, Friends of Mount Whitney Hatchery."
The hatchery, which is located in Inyo County, and the surrounding area were severely damaged July 12 when heavy rains pounded the already fire damaged Oak Creek watershed. This triggered a massive debris flow that killed all the rainbow trout, destroyed four buildings and buried the fish rearing ponds.
The hatchery site is located on an alluvial fan or natural mud flow out of the Sierra and thus is prone to such events, according to DFG geologists, who recommend closure until the watershed is stabilized.
Due to the high amounts of loose sediment still in large stretches of the creeks, the geologists also advise against reconnecting the hatchery's fish rearing water source until further studies are completed. Restoration of the watershed may take several years to complete and until that time, Oak Creek is susceptible to reoccurrence of flooding. Several alternatives for stabilizing the area are under consideration, but definitive plans have yet to be approved.
DFG remains committed to trout stocking goals in the Eastern Sierra. No disruption to DFG's stocking program in the Eastern Sierra is anticipated. Nearby Black Rock Hatchery, where fish production takes place for the Eastern Sierra, was not damaged and continues to stock fish on a regular basis.
Mount Whitney Hatchery typically produces about 8 million rainbow trout eggs annually and supplies eggs to DFG production hatcheries throughout the state.DFG plans to increase rainbow trout egg production at other state hatcheries to compensate for this loss.
"The recovery of the Mount Whitney strain of rainbow trout will take several years," said Taucher. "Until that time, we are taking steps to ensure our stocking program remains viable."
Media Contact
Gary Williams, Senior Hatchery Supervisor, (760) 245-9981<br />
Jana Rae Leiran, Hatchery Interpretive Services Coordinator, (916) 539-6644