Springville — The Springville Fish Hatchery was officially opened for raising fish Thursday, August 4. The hatchery closed in April 2005 when whirling disease was detected in some of the fish.

Dignitaries feed fish to officially open the new hatchery.

Photo by Scott Root

The new hatchery has covered raceways and uses an ultra violet light water filtration system that kills any whirling disease organisms in the water. 2.25 million dollars were legislatively appropriated for the hatchery and another 1.5 million dollars came from angler license dollars.

Several representatives from various agencies gave short speeches regarding the newly renovated hatchery and rather than holding a ribbon cutting ceremony, a ceremonial fish feeding took place to officially open the facility.

Rick Hartman, Springville Hatchery Supervisor expects to raise about 120,000 pounds of mostly rainbow trout each year, which is equivalent to approximately 250,000 trout. Hartman states that many of these trout will be used for the popular community fishing ponds located throughout Wasatch Front urban areas. You can schedule a tour of the Springville Hatchery by calling 801-489-4421.