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Landslide damage forces US salmon hatchery to cull thousands of fish

One of the largest salmon hatcheries in Alaska, USA was forced to destroy thousands of fish after a landslide damaged the pipeline that supplies its water.

Landslide damage forces US salmon hatchery to cull thousands of fish
December 10, 2020

One of the largest salmon hatcheries in Alaska, USA was forced to destroy thousands of fish after a landslide damaged the pipeline that supplies its water, according to local news.

The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery in Juneau is run by Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc., known locally as DIPAC. Its water comes from Salmon Creek Reservoir, and it shares a water supply pipeline with Alaska Electric Light & Power’s plant. Heavy rain triggered slides on the Salmon Creek Trail, leaving debris that made it difficult to access the reservoir. It will take some time to access and repair the pipeline.

All the young chinook salmon and rainbow trout, that would have been released in spring 2021, were culled and most of the young coho salmon, too.

The hatchery has been operating in its current location since 1990 and raises chum, coho, chinook and rainbow trout.