The Fall Creek Hatchery accommodates various stages of fish rearing with the construction of new concrete raceways, incubation and spawning buildings, water supply infrastructure, waste collection systems, fish handling traps, a fish ladder, and fish barrier structures. The project also involves refurbishing three holding ponds for efficient trapping and sorting. McMillen conducted assessments of the biological needs of the fish, performed hydrologic analyses and geotechnical investigations, and supported permitting for the upgrades. Water supply and quality considerations were central to the design, focusing on maintaining biosecurity for the sensitive species involved. The hatchery is designed to simulate natural cold-water streams and will nurture Chinook and coho salmon. The intake structure and piping will divert flows from Fall Creek, while tanks and raceways will provide ample rearing volume. The project also includes the construction of hatchery buildings and the implementation of waste management systems. A Denil-type fish ladder will be installed to facilitate fish movement.
This project is an outstanding example of the benefits that can be achieved when the client, owner, operator, and design team collaborate closely to meet program goals. McMillen and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) met frequently throughout the alternative analysis and design phases to ensure the design was optimized for cost-effective and efficient operations.
The hatchery, expected to be completed by April 2024, will operate for about eight years to allow for the gradual reintroduction of anadromous fish within the California portion of the Klamath River Basin. Fall Creek Hatchery will have the capacity to produce up to 3,250,000 Chinook and 75,000 coho salmon annually.
