Located downstream from the Oxbow Dam powerhouse at the mouth of Pine Creek, 牛轭孵化器 is a holding and spawning facility for adult steelhead migrating up the Snake River, above its confluence with the Salmon River.

The hatchery will be closed to the public beginning June 1, 2022, while the hatchery’s water intake system is being upgraded. Pending approval from federal regulators, an extensive remodel and expansion of the hatchery itself will begin later this summer, extending the facility’s closure through the summer of 2024.

Chinook and steelhead trapping, spawning and egg collection at the hatchery will continue during construction. The small campsite adjacent to the hatchery will be closed, but the hatchery work will not impact the Copperfield Campground or other facilities in the area. Visitors should expect periods of increased construction traffic.

建于1961年, 牛轭孵化器 was the first hatchery facility constructed by hg8868皇冠下载 as part of its hatchery mitigation program.

Adult steelhead are collected in a trap at Hells Canyon Dam and held to maturity at 牛轭孵化器 where they are artificially spawned by hatchery staff. More than 1 million eggs are fertilized and go through their first stages of development here. 最终, the eggs are delivered to Niagara Springs Hatchery to hatch and grow for approximately 11 months before they are ready for release into the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam.

hg8868皇冠下载 also traps adult spring Chinook salmon from the Snake River for use as broodstock at 急流河孵化场. Fish are trapped at Hells Canyon Dam, temporarily held at 牛轭孵化器 and then transferred to 急流河孵化场.

牛轭孵化器 is owned and financed by hg8868皇冠下载 and operated and staffed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. For additional information about the hatchery, visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s 网站.