Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery |
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| General information | |
| Address | 4936 West CR 52E |
| Town or city | Bellvue, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 40°37′57.3″N 105°10′10.68″W / 40.632583°N 105.1696333°W |
| Inaugurated | 1914 |
The Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery is a special place in Larimer County, Colorado. It's run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This hatchery helps raise fish in cold water. It's located near the Cache la Poudre River and Watson Lake.
Every year, the hatchery grows about 1.5 million young trout. These fish are called "sub-catchable" because they are still small. Another part of the hatchery, the Watson Lake Rearing Unit, raises about 300,000 larger trout. These are "catchable" fish, ready for fishing!
The hatchery sends these fish to many fishing spots. You can find them in places like Wellington, Fort Collins, and Loveland. They also stock Jumbo Reservoir near Julesburg and Hale ponds.
This facility also has Colorado's Fish Research Hatchery. It started in 1968. Scientists here work to make fish farming better. They study how to improve fish food and different types of fish. Their goal is to help more fish survive both at the hatchery and after they are released. They also research fish that can resist diseases like whirling disease.
History of the Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery
The Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery first opened in 1914. Its main building was finished in 1924. Later, the fish research hatchery began its work in 1968.
In September 2013, a big flood caused a lot of damage. The hatchery had to close for repairs. After several years of hard work, it was able to reopen in 2017.
What the Hatchery Does
A big part of the hatchery's work is teaching people. They want everyone to learn about fish and their environment. The facility provides fish for many areas. This helps support fishing as a fun outdoor activity.
The hatchery offers educational materials and tours. This way, visitors can see how fish are raised. The aquatic research facility also works to improve fish farming techniques. This helps keep fish populations healthy for the future.
Fish Species Raised Here
The Bellvue-Watson hatchery raises several types of fish. They grow "catchable" fish for anglers. These include:
- Rainbow trout
- Cutthroat trout
- Splake
- Brown trout
- Rainbow/cutthroat trout hybrids
The aquatic research facility also produces special fish. They raise native cutthroat trout. They also work with types of rainbow trout that are resistant to whirling disease. This research helps protect fish from this serious illness.
