Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby Helps Fund Backup Generator For Rock Creek Hatchery
The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby and Powerhouse Electric helped fund a permanent backup generator for Rock Creek Hatchery, a project aimed at improving fish survival, reducing costs, and supporting long-term fishery enhancement in the Umpqua Basin.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby has partnered with Powerhouse Electric to provide a permanent backup generator for Rock Creek Hatchery, according to a recent announcement from the organization.
The project is intended to help protect juvenile spring Chinook during critical rearing months, when reliable power is essential to keeping hatchery water systems operating.
According to the announcement, frequent power outages have affected water systems at the hatchery. The new generator is expected to replace costly annual generator rentals while providing a more dependable long-term solution.
The derby said Powerhouse Electric also contributed in-kind support through its time and expertise, assisting with research, installation, and training related to the project.
Organizers said the enhancement is expected to improve fish survival rates by helping the hatchery release stronger, healthier smolts that can return as harvestable adult Chinook in both ocean and freshwater fisheries.
The organization also said cost savings from the investment will allow the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to direct funding toward other needs, including ongoing hatchery operations and recovery work tied to the 2020 wildfire.
Organizers said the overall investment supports healthier fish, stronger returns, and continued enhancement of fisheries across the Umpqua Basin.
For more information about derby projects, the organization said people can contact Tina at 541-672-0757 or tina@dougtimber.org.
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