INFORMATION REPORTS - NUMBER 96-8 Review of Capacity Utilization at ODFW Salmon Hatcheries Mark A. Lewis Fish Propagation Section Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2501 S.W. First Avenue P.O. Box 59 Portland, Oregon 97207 August 1996 CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION................................................................ 1 SUMMARY...................................................................... 1 INDIVIDUAL HATCHERY EVALUATIONS..................................... 3 Bandon Hatchery.......................................................... 4 Big Creek Hatchery........................................................ 6 Bonneville Hatchery........................................................ 8 Butte Falls Hatchery....................................................... 10 Cascade Hatchery......................................................... 12 Cedar Creek Hatchery..................................................... 14 Clackamas Hatchery....................................................... 16 Cole Rivers Hatchery.............................................. ........ 19 Elk River Hatchery........................................................ 21 Fall Creek Hatchery........................................................ 24 Klaskanine Hatchery....................................................... 25 Lookingglass Hatchery..................................................... 27 Marion Forks Hatchery.................................................... 29 McKenzie Hatchery........................................................ 31 Nehalem Hatchery......................................................... 33 Oxbow Hatchery........................................................... 35 Rock Creek Hatchery...................................................... 38 Round Butte Hatchery..................................................... 40 Salmon River Hatchery......................................... .......... 43 Sandy Hatchery................................................ ........... 45 South Santiam Hatchery.................................................... 47 Trask Hatchery............................................................ 49 Umatilla Hatchery.......................................................... 52 Willamette Hatchery....................................................... 53 REFERENCES................................................................... 56 INTRODUCTION An extensive review of capacity utilization at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries was done in the 1980’s (Jeffrey and Associates 1987, and Walters 1989). Both reports compared actual production levels to theoretical carrying capacity and loading density for the period April 1985 to April 1987. Theoretical values calculated for the analysis were based on a carrying capacity model developed by Liao (1971) and a loading density graph developed by Burrows and Combs (1968). Carrying capacity is a measure of the ability to provide oxygen and remove metabolic waste, and is calculated as pounds of fish/gallons per minute (gpm) water flow. Loading density is a measure of the physical space required by the fish, and is calculated as pounds of fish/cubic foot of rearing space. Since these reports are fairly recent this review is based on their conclusions modified for any changes in the physical capacity of the hatchery (number or size of ponds, and available water supply) and any changes in the level of production. Hatchery managers were also asked to assess their current level of production and their ability to increase production at all stages of rearing (adult holding and spawning, egg incubation, juvenile rearing, and smolt production). Data on Columbia River hatcheries was also obtained from the Integrated Hatchery Operations Team (IHOT) report (Nandor 1995). The body of the report is a hatchery by hatchery evaluation including general background information, the prior assessment, changes since that assessment, and conclusions on potential for increased production. These individual hatchery reviews are presented in tabular format (arranged geographically) in the summary section. Only salmon producing hatcheries are reviewed for this report. There are 10 other hatcheries that produce steelhead and/or other species of trout, but not salmon. These are not reviewed in this report but all are reviewed in the earlier reports (Jeffrey and Associates 1987, and Walters 1989) and data on six of them is contained in the IHOT report (Nandor 1995). There may be some ability to increase salmon production by using these steelhead or trout hatcheries. However, this would generally involve transport of eggs or fish, disease concerns, and isolation and/or separation from current production. SUMMARY The following table summarizes the current level of capacity utilization and the potential for increasing salmon production at various stages of the rearing cycle (adult holding and spawning, egg incubation, juvenile rearing, and smolt production). Where hatcheries had extra capacity at some stage of rearing, estimates of the number of fish or eggs that could be produced were based on the hatcheries current production practices. No estimate of the number of additional adults that could be held was made since this would be dependent on the specific species, fish size, run timing, and spawning timing. Estimates of the number of additional eggs that could be incubated are based on the average numbers currently incubated per container at the hatchery. Again the actual numbers of additional eggs that could be incubated would be based on the species and timing. The 14 Columbia Basin hatcheries evaluated are generally operating at or above recommended capacities. In some cases this may be resulting in reduced smolt quality and survival. Only one hatchery had any capacity for increased smolt production, Clackamas hatchery could rear an additional 15,000 1 steelhead smolts. There was no additional capacity identified for holding of adult salmon at any of the Columbia Basin hatcheries. There was substantial additional egg incubation capacity identified at 6 hatcheries, ranging from 450,000 to 6 million eggs. Limited early rearing space was identified at 3 hatcheries. One of the hatcheries evaluated (Klaskanine) and one of the steelhead hatcheries (Gnat Creek) are being closed because of federal budget reductions, and others may be closed if further anticipated budget reductions occur. Potential for increasing Potential for increasing production to various stages production of salmon Starting and Early Hatchery smolts with existing Adult Holding Egg incubation Juvenile Rearing facility. Columbia Basin Hatcheries (arranged upstream to downstream) Lookingglass Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Umatilla Pending research results Not applicable Pending research results Pending research results Round Butte Fully utilized Fully utilized 900,000 eggs Fully utilized Oxbow Fully utilized Not applicable 6,000,000 eggs 300,000 fish Cascade Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Bonneville Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Sandy Above capacity Fully utilized 2,000,000 eggs Some space available in spring Willamette Fully utilized Fully utilized 450,000 eggs Fully utilized McKenzie Fully utilized Fully utilized 2,000,000 eggs Fully utilized Marion Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Forks South Fully utilized Fully utilized 1,500,000 eggs to eyed Fully utilized Santiam stage Clackamas 15,000 steelhead smolts Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Big Creek Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Klaskanine Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Some space available in spring Coastal Hatcheries (arranged North to South) Nehalem 20,000 steelhead smolts Fully utilized 480,000 eggs 3 ponds available July -Jan. Trask 22,500 spring chinook. Yes, could hold separate, 1,000,000 eggs One pond available More with staff & after current uses funding Cedar Creek 145,000 in Rhodes pond, Yes, could hold separate 1,232,000 eggs Two troughs available, & can acclimate 42,000 one pond available Nov.- smolts June Salmon River 250,000 coho smolts. Yes, could hold separate 690,000 eggs, (-315,000 if No empty ponds, but could Needs additional funding. increase coho smolts) increase coho per pond Fall Creek Above capacity Fully utilized 700,000 eggs Fully utilized Rock Creek Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Bandon Fully utilized, could Yes, could hold separate Possible, with modifications Fully utilized acclimate more smolts to isolation system Elk River 37,000 chinook smolts Fully utilized 250,000 eggs One pond available Butte Falls 186,000 coho smolts Not applicable 300,000 eggs 300,000 fish with additional staff & funding. Cole Rivers 720,000 smolts with Yes, could hold separate 1,170,000 eggs 16 circular ponds available funding 2 In general the 10 coastal hatcheries evaluated are not operating at levels as close to capacity as the Columbia Basin hatcheries, only 2 coastal hatcheries are at or above capacity. This results from a variety of reasons including prior staff and budget reductions, compliance with wild fish management policy, and changes in fish culture practices intended to improve smolt quality and survival. Four hatcheries have substantial capacity for increased smolt production; Cole Rivers, Salmon River, Butte Falls, and Cedar Creek. However, the increase at Cedar Creek would involve re-activating an off