White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facility located along the historic Midland Trail in the Allegheny Highlands of southeast West Virginia. Established in 1900[1] or 1902[2] to produce fish for the American public, the fish hatchery became part of the National Broadstock Program in 1976. In 1995, a freshwater mussel conservation program was added.[1]
The hatchery's mission is to provide recreational fishing, and recovers fish, mussels, and other wildlife. It aims to promote the appreciation of natural resources.[1] It ships millions of rainbow trout eggs to hatcheries across the United States every year.[2] [3] Surplus rainbow trout are released into West Virginia waterways.[4]
In 2016, Greenbrier County, West Virginia was affected by flooding, including the hatchery. 15,000 adult rainbow trout brood stock were lost and it took two years for the facility to recover.[2]
Freshwater Mussel Conservation
editAdded to the hatchery in 1995, this program works toward the restoration of freshwater mussel populations.[5] In 2013, White Sulphur Springs – along with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center, and the Center for Mollusk Conservation in Frankfort, Kentucky – began work to restore the endangered purple cat’s paw pearlymussel. The species previously inhabited the Ohio River and many of the larger tributaries. Identified as an endangered species in July 1990, the populations steeply declined due to the damning of the Ohio River, dredging, the dumping of industrial waste, and competition from the invasive zebra mussel.[6]
Freshwater Folk Festival
editThe Freshwater Folk Festival is hosted by the Friends of the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery in the Fall every year.[7] The event was first held on October 2, 2004.[citation needed] It's designed to be a family-friendly day of music, food, crafts, and educational opportunities.[8]
Annual Fishing Derby
editThe White Sulphur Springs Annual Fishing Derby is held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, meant to provide families with the opportunity to spend the day fishing for rainbow trout.[9] The Annual Fishing Derby has been celebrated for over 20 years; it is co-hosted by the White Sulphur Springs Rotary Club.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c "White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery". www.fws.gov/. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26.
- ^ a b c Alvey, Tina (30 September 2018). "Fish hatchery recovers from flood - WITH VIDEO". The Register-Herald. West Virginia. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "National Broodstock Program's Egg Distribution Service | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". FWS.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ McCoy, John (25 February 2018). "Trout hatchery builds toward full production". AP Charleston Gazette-Mail. West Virginia. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery". FWS.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ Steelhammer, Rick (7 October 2017). "Mussel, once feared extinct, brought back to Ohio River". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Freshwater Folk Festival (2023-09-09 10:00:00)". Visit Southern West Virginia. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Freshwater Folk Festival returns next month". Mountain Messenger. West Virginia. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "White Sulphur Springs Rotary Kids Fishing Derby | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". FWS.gov. 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery | Visit Us | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-08.