Last May, we celebrated the grand opening of our Native Salmonid Conservation Facility in Usk, Washington. Built as part of the Boundary Hydroelectric Project’s federal relicensing agreement, the facility represents our commitment to environmental stewardship and the restoration of native trout populations. Now, one year later, we’re excited to share the progress and milestones we’ve achieved in the first year of operation.
A year of conservation milestones
We built the facility to protect and restore native trout populations in the lower Pend Oreille River creeks and streams. Our focus during this first year has been on the Westslope cutthroat trout, a species with cultural and historical significance, documented by Lewis and Clark and deeply valued by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.
Thanks to the incredible work of our teams and partners, we’ve completed the full lifecycle of these trout, from spawning to rearing.
Here are some of the highlights from our first year:
- We collected and tagged two stocks of wild Westslope cutthroat trout from local streams. These fish were brought into the hatchery to preserve their unique genetic traits and support recovery efforts.
- We transitioned wild trout successfully to hatchery feeds, achieving excellent growth and very low mortality rates in a controlled environment.
- We used innovative methods to protect genetic diversity, successfully spawning and incubating 18,000 wild-origin trout eggs while avoiding sibling crossings.
- We hatched our first batch of young trout, now housed in early rearing tanks in preparation for release into local streams.
Supporting recreational fishing and community connection
While the hatchery focuses on conservation, we’ve also embraced the opportunity to connect with local communities and support recreational fishing. Our collaboration with the Kalispel Tribe and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife was instrumental in forming the federal relicensing agreements, and that partnership continues to guide our conservation efforts.
This past year, we stocked several Pend Oreille County lakes with trout reared at the facility, providing anglers with new opportunities for recreational fishing. Some of these trout have already grown to weigh up to one pound!
We’ve also prioritized building connections with local communities through events like youth and senior fishing days, as well as a tag reward program. This program offers licensed and youth anglers a chance to earn cash rewards for catching trout with identification tags. These tagged fish, stocked from the hatchery, not only enhance recreational fishing but also help promote sustainable practices and protect fish populations.
Sustaining ecosystems through hydropower
The Native Salmonid Conservation Facility is a powerful example of how hydropower can support species recovery, enhance recreation, and strengthen community ties.
This is only the beginning. Through continued collaboration with Tribes, local, state, and federal agencies, we’re committed to restoring native fish populations, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring our hydropower operations continue to respect and preserve the natural world.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year of success. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings.