The inner workings of the world’s largest sockeye salmon hatchery

The inner workings of the world’s largest sockeye salmon hatchery

Source: adn

7/30/2022

Credit: Ned Rozell

In late summer, a few months before this mossy valley will feel the sting of 40-below air, bright red salmon dart through a crystal-clear pool amid fragrant green vegetation. The Gulkana Hatchery has a Garden of Eden feel, which is fitting since millions of sockeye salmon begin life here each year.

“There are seven springs in the canyon,” said Gary Martinek, former manager of this salmon hatchery just off the Richardson Highway between Summit and Paxson lakes during an interview in 2011. “From summer to winter the water temperature only varies 3 degrees. This water is the key to the hatchery.”

On most days of the summer, fishermen heading to the Copper River to scoop up salmon pass this cluster of small buildings tucked in a shallow valley. Few realize that many of the fish they will catch are born here.