Contract Objectives

The general objective of the contract is to develop predesign documents (30% design completion) for a spring chinook salmon hatchery and associated facilities on the South Fork of the Walla Walla River (SFWW) near Milton-Freewater, Oregon.  Further objectives are to: (1) obtain support associated with development of the facilities predesign, including managing the technical work group process that involves fishery co-managers and regulators; and (2) provide technical assistance in identifying environmental and construction permitting requirements.  

Project Background

This project involves building a hatchery to provide fish production needed to restore an extirpated spring Chinook population in the Walla Walla subbasin.  The project is part of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s (NPCC) F&W program, and is a component of Fish Accord between BPA and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).  

The SFWW project site is currently developed as a spring chinook adult holding and spawning facility operated by CTUIR.  Design and construction of the existing facility was funded by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and the facility began operation in 1996.  Existing infrastructure at the site includes a river water intake, water supply piping, holding raceways, spawning building, ozone water treatment building, staff housing, effluent pond, and effluent discharge line.  The water supply and treatment infrastructure were sized to accommodate the eventual full-scale hatchery facility addition.

New facilities to be developed include a building for egg incubation and early fish rearing, and approximately 20 outdoor raceways for full-term fish rearing through the smolt stage.  Connections of the facility additions to the existing water supply and effluent discharge systems will also be required.