Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery
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Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery
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Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery

Smith-Root provided innovative technology and biological expertise to divert migrating fish species such as Steelhead, Chinook and Coho Salmon into the adjacent hatchery for egg production.
  • Location: Estacada, Oregon
  • Commissioned: 2003
  • Type: Waterway

Project description

The Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery is located in Oregon. The hatchery is in place to ensure the sustainability of migrating salmon and trout for the future. The hatchery collects eggs from Steelhead Trout, Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon during different migratory periods annually. The eggs are then used to produce smolts which are then released back into Eagle Creek to begin their downstream migration to the Pacific Ocean.

Smith-Root provided technical engineering, environmental and biological experience for the design of the electrical barrier system which was installed in Eagle Creek.

The concrete structure was designed by Parkin Engineering (a subsidiary of Smith-Root) and incorporated Insulcrete™ a trademarked Smith-Root concrete product. Other work included understanding the size and type of fish species and how they react to electrical pulses and then creating an electrical field to stop fish from migrating upstream, diverting them into the hatchery.

The barrier at Eagle Creek is effective and continues to help sustain fish numbers in our national waterways for the future.

Services provided

  • Site inspections and data logging to understand fish species and surrounding environment
  • Coordination with the Site Manager and Team Leader
  • Research fish species and understand their biological makeup
  • Design an electrical barrier and suitable hardware to manage remotely
  • Oversee concrete structure installation and complete electrical system installation
  • Continue monitoring of electrical barrier remotely to ensure system integrity
  • Complete annual maintenance of electrical barrier

Site characteristics

  • Pulsators: 1.5kVA POW
  • Pulsator Qty: 6
  • Power Output: 9kW max.
  • Water Depth: 1-2 feet
  • Waterway Width: 50 feet
  • Water Velocity: 4-6 ft./s
  • Conductivity: 300 µs/cm