November 2024 • Nebraskaland 51
used along with 16 ponds for
fi sh production. While much of
the hatchery resembles its 1924
beginnings, there were obstacles to
overcome and modifi cations made in
trout rearing.
Improvements at the facility over
the years include new and additional
trout troughs in 1950 that would
produce almost 600,000 brown and
rainbow trout eggs, over 200,000 more
than before the addition.
By 1976, it was feared that the cold,
clean water fl ows at the hatchery
would be greatly reduced because of
the large number of irrigation wells
that were put in near the hatchery
for center-pivot systems, and a new
hatchery may need to be built. After
studies were completed, geologists
found that if the water fl ow was
greatly reduced, more water could be
obtained by installing high-capacity
pumps and wells.
In 1980, more than $200,000 was
spent modernizing the hatchery,
with raceway, piping system, water
reservoir, and aeration system
improvements, along with new wells,
to pursue the science of raising trout.
Since then, much of what worked
the past 100 years still works, as seen
from the thousands of fi sh stocked
each year. Which is why if you've
fi shed for trout in Nebraska in the last
century, chances are you've landed
one raised at Rock Creek Hatchery.
N
See our video celebrating 100
years of the Rock Creek Hatchery at
NebraskalandMagazine.com.
A rainbow trout swims in the newly renovated pond at Chadron State Park during
the park's fi rst stocking of the year. The fi sh were shipped in by truck from the
Rock Creek Hatchery. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
The Gretna Fish Hatchery Museum in Sarpy County displays items from Rock Creek and the state's other hatcheries.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
