6/4/2007

Slide Show Updates Hatchery Renovation Project

PIERRE, S.D.—A slide show on the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site will allow all South Dakotans to keep tabs on the renovation project at Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery.

Work on renovating the fish hatchery on the west side of Rapid City began in September of 2006. The $6 million dollar project is aimed at increasing the efficiency of the hatchery and renovating rearing facilities that have deteriorated from normal wear and tear over the last 34 years.

“Now anyone with access to an Internet connection can keep up on the progress of the renovation,” said William Sayler, hatchery manager. “This is a major project for the department and we want to make sure citizens are able to keep up on its progress. As the renovation project continues, we’ll be able to update the slide show.”

The hatchery, which raises trout and salmon for distribution into South Dakota waters, was originally dedicated in 1930.  The facility had major renovations in the 1940s and again in the 1970s after the Rapid City flood.

The renovation project includes:

·        The replacement of the current raceways with 32, 20-foot diameter circular tanks which will be covered by a building. 

·        A new more efficient water pumping and delivery system. 

·        Modification of the existing hatchery building will include updates to the early fish rearing systems and the addition of a laboratory. 

·        A storage, shop and office building will also be constructed. 

Sayler noted that the slide show is a welcome addition to the Web site because public access at the site is limited during construction. GFP is manning a hatchery office during the renovation project.

The GFP Web site address is www.sdgfp.info. On the home page, choose the heading “Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing.” Then click on “Fishing” and on the main fishing page scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery.”

--GFP—