The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

Contributor: Kristi Silver, King County

A hatchery upstream of a lake seems like a great idea and the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is just about to get even better. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) are working with King County and Issaquah on a master plan for a modern facility that combines steelhead recovery and environmental education. Part of the plan is to reduce the phosphorus coming from the Hatchery that now adds phosphorus to the lake.

Specialists in lake restoration, water quality, and sewage treatment are working with hatchery personnel to review innovative methods to purify the hatchery wastewater and reduce this discharge.

One process being examined is solar aquatic water purification. This technology uses a series of tanks containing plants and animals to cleanse the nutrient rich wastewater. Such a system could be a good alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems in a place like the hatchery where aesth etics, odor, location, water reuse and public education count.

RIDE THROUGH THE WATERCYCLE!

Take a tour; see the "Getting to Know Your Sammamish Watershed" poster for ideas. You can explore the watershed; visit educational sites like the Issaquah Hatchery and areas of riparian restoration. For a copy of the poster, call (206)296-6519.