With Spring comes the ever anticipated opening of the extended Hatchery Creek at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Russell County, Kentucky. The extension of Hatchery Creek from less than 500 feet to over one mile offers anglers a sight to behold. The stream provides diverse habitat for fish and wildlife and offers conditions favorable for trout spawning and nursery habitat to encourage natural reproduction of trout.
Hopes and dreams for the creek extension began over 20 years ago. Initially the projects intent was to improve water quality in both Hatchery Creek and the Cumberland River by minimizing erosion along the existing creek bed. Not only did the new stream achieve this goal but it well excided expectations of providing habitat for trout to reproduce. The new stream offers deep pools, fast riffles, open runs and wetlands sure to please wildlife of all shapes and sizes from tiny macroinvertebrate, to Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout, to the common fly fisherman.
The extension of Hatchery Creek was made possible through a partnership of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service- Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, the United States Army Corps of Engineers- Nashville District, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The construction of the creek was done by three Kentucky companies: Stantec, Ecogrow, and RidgeWater.
Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Project Leader, James Gray stated “The new creek is unlike anything in the Eastern United State; trout fishermen around the country will add Hatchery Creek to their list of must fish streams”
The improvements also extend to the original Hatchery Creek section below the hatchery with deeper and wider pools, an extended handicap accessible fishing area and additional natural sitting area.
The benefits of this project will be reaped for generations to come by adding millions of dollars to the local economy and innumerable recreation opportunities.
For complete details and updated information visit fws.gov/wolfcreek/ For regular updates, photos, hatchery news and more, follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.
Photo Caption 1: View of new stream facing upstream to migration barrier and original Hatchery Creek
Photo Caption 2: Hatchery Creek entering the Cumberland River, fish ladder.
