Roaring Judy Hatchery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roaring Judy Hatchery |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Almont, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38°25′32″N 106°30′18″W / 38.42562°N 106.50496°W |
| Inaugurated | 1963 |
The Roaring Judy Hatchery is a special place in Colorado where they raise fish! It's located in Gunnison County, right by the East River and Flat Top mountain. This hatchery is famous for having the biggest group of kokanee salmon that return to lay their eggs in Colorado.
Contents
About the Hatchery
When it Started
The Roaring Judy Hatchery opened its doors in 1963. That's over 60 years ago!
What They Do Here
A very important job for the people working at the hatchery is to protect a special fish called the cutthroat trout. These fish are a big part of Colorado's fishing history.
For example, in 2016, a large wildfire called the Hayden Pass Fire happened. The hatchery staff bravely saved 158 unique cutthroat trout from a stream called Hayden Creek. Now, scientists are working to help these fish have babies. This will keep their special family line strong and make sure they don't disappear.
Fish at the Hatchery
Raising Fish
The staff at Roaring Judy Hatchery works hard to raise many fish. Each year, they help produce:
- Over 3 million baby kokanee salmon (called "fry").
- About 100,000 smaller trout.
- Around 180,000 larger trout that are ready for fishing.
The water for the hatchery comes from underground springs and wells. This fresh, cold water is perfect for the fish.
The Salmon's Journey: Life Cycle and Reproduction
When the baby salmon are ready, they are released into the East River. This happens through special underground pipes, usually at night. Releasing them at night helps more of them survive.
After about three years and ten months, these salmon do something amazing! They use their super sense of smell to find their way back to the exact water where they were born. This is how they return to the hatchery.
Once the salmon are back, the hatchery staff carefully collects their eggs and sperm. This helps them create the next generation of salmon. It's a way to make sure there are always plenty of fish for the future!
