Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery

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Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery

Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, 2008.JPG

This hatchery replaced a 1907 facility
Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery Site map.JPG
Location McKenzie River
Nearest city Vida, Oregon, USA
Coordinates 44°08′31″N122°36′31″W / 44.14194°N 122.60861°W / 44.14194; -122.60861 Coordinates: 44°08′31″N122°36′31″W / 44.14194°N 122.60861°W / 44.14194; -122.60861
Built 1928
NRHP reference # 96000142
Added to NRHP 1996

The Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery was used to raise trout and salmon for release into the McKenzie River in western Oregon in the United States. It is located near the unincorporated community of Vida in Lane County. The hatchery is closed, however, the historic site is now a county park. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trout Number of species of freshwater fish

Trout is the common name for a number of species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera Oncorhynchus, Salmo and Salvelinus, all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word trout is also used as part of the name of some non-salmonid fish such as Cynoscion nebulosus, the spotted seatrout or speckled trout.

Salmon Family of fish related to trout

Salmon is the common name for several species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae. Other fish in the same family include trout, char, grayling and whitefish. Salmon are native to tributaries of the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Many species of salmon have been introduced into non-native environments such as the Great Lakes of North America and Patagonia in South America. Salmon are intensively farmed in many parts of the world.

McKenzie River (Oregon) tributary of the Willamette River in Oregon

The McKenzie River is a 90-mile (145 km) tributary of the Willamette River in western Oregon in the United States. It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Eugene and flows westward into the southernmost end of the Willamette Valley. It is named for Donald McKenzie, a Scottish Canadian fur trader who explored parts of the Pacific Northwest for the Pacific Fur Company in the early 19th century. As of the 21st century, six large dams have been built on the McKenzie and its tributaries.

Contents

History

On March 6, 1907, the State of Oregon purchased land along the McKenzie River between Leaburg and Vida for a fish hatchery. The state paid $518.07 for the land. The original hatchery building was built by C.J. Buley. The facility was opened on May 11, 1907. The hatchery superintendent's house and other support buildings were also constructed at about the same time. The original hatchery building was replaced in 1928, but the superintendent's residence and several other original buildings still exist at the site. [1] [2]

Government of Oregon

The government of the U.S. state of Oregon, as prescribed by the Oregon Constitution, is composed of three government branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. These branches operate in a manner similar to that of the federal government of the United States.

Leaburg, Oregon Unincorporated community in Oregon, United States

Leaburg is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States located on the McKenzie River and Oregon Route 126 east of Walterville and west of Vida.

The hatchery facilities were used by the State of Oregon to grow trout and salmon until the early 1950s. Over the years, it grew to be a large operation. In 1951, the hatchery collected 1,530,560 fish eggs for breeding. The state then decided to replace the old hatchery with a modern production facility. Between 1952 and 1953, the entire hatchery operation was moved to a new facility about a half-mile downstream from the original site adjacent to the Leaburg Dam. The old hatchery was closed in 1953. [1] [2]

In 1986, Lane County commissioned a study to determine if the abandoned hatchery site should be developed. The study found that the old McKenzie hatchery had historic and natural value, and recommended that the site be developed as a public park. [3] Because of its unique architecture and importance to the history of the McKenzie River Valley, the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. [4] In 2007, the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee endorsed a plan to expand the facilities at the site of the historic fish hatchery to include a small museum and an interpretive center. [5]

County park

Today, the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery is a 46-acre (190,000 m2) park operated by Lane County. The historic site has eight main buildings and seven minor structures. The main hatchery buildings have been renovated, and are used as an environmental education center. There are interpretive signs on the grounds that describe hatchery operations and highlight some remaining artifacts. It is also home to the McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce Information Center. Because it is located just off Highway 126 (also known as the McKenzie River Highway), the hatchery is a popular rest stop for travelers. At the site, there are picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, and parking. In addition, the facilities meet all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. [6]

Environmental education Branch of pedagogy

Environmental education (EE) refers to organized efforts to teach how natural environments function, and particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably. It is a multi-disciplinary field integrating disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that EE is vital in imparting an inherent respect for nature amongst society and in enhancing public environmental awareness. UNESCO emphasises the role of EE in safeguarding future global developments of societal quality of life (QOL), through the protection of the environment, eradication of poverty, minimization of inequalities and insurance of sustainable development. The term often implies education within the school system, from primary to post-secondary. However, it sometimes includes all efforts to educate the public and other audiences, including print materials, websites, media campaigns, etc.. There are also ways that environmental education is taught outside the traditional classroom. Aquariums, zoos, parks, and nature centers all have ways of teaching the public about the environment.

Chamber of commerce organization for the promotion of business interests

A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, for example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization.

Oregon Route 126 State highway in Oregon

Oregon Route 126 is a 204.63-mile-long (329.32 km) state highway that connects coastal, western, and central parts of the U.S. state of Oregon. A short freeway section of Oregon 126 in Eugene and Springfield is concurrent with Interstate 105.

The Friends of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery work with the Lane County Parks Division to develop and maintain the historic site. According to its charter, the group was established to "perpetuate and maintain the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery to achieve the highest quality for the public benefit; to enhance the historic features of the property…to encourage use of the site for educational purposes, and to provide facilities for the public enjoyment and use of its natural and historic features." [7]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Hatchery Fact", Interpretive sign, Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, Lane County Park, Eugene, Oregon, July 25, 2008.
  2. 1 2 "Leaburg to Vida" Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine ., Welcome to the McKenzie River Valley, McKenzie River Reflections Newspaper (online), McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, September 5, 2008.
  3. ↑ McGrath, Marguerite, et al., "The Old McKenzie Trout Hatchery, Leaburg Fish Hatchery", Development Study, Lane County Government, Eugene, Oregon, 1986
  4. ↑ "McKenzie Fish Hatchery, Old", National Register of Historic Places, www.nationalregisterofhistoricalplaces.com, August 26, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Museum on the McKenzie", Minutes, Lane County Parks Advisory Committee, Eugene, Oregon, March 12, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Old McKenzie Trout Hatchery", Lane County Park Facilities and Services, Parks Division, Public Works Department, Lane County eGovernment, Eugene, Oregon, September 5, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Friends of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery", Community and Partners, Lane County Park Facilities and Services, Parks Division, Public Works Department, Lane County Government, Eugene, Oregon, September 5, 2008.
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