Sunday, April 17, 2005
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TRIP OF THE WEEK: Willow Beach fish hatchery offers educational trip

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Hundreds of sleek, silvery-gray forms churn the water in their eagerness for the rich meal dropped to them from feeders at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. Destined for eventual freedom, the fish grow to an appropriate size before release into the lower Colorado River, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, as well as waters within five American Indian tribal reservations.

The hatchery sits along the river just north of recreational facilities at Willow Beach. To reach it, follow U.S. 93 to Hoover Dam, 28 miles from Las Vegas. Cross the river on the dam into Arizona. Continue on U.S. 93 about 19 miles to the Willow Beach turnoff. A twisting paved road descends to the river's edge at Willow Beach, following a desert wash.

Wildflowers still greet visitors along the Willow Beach route. The early profusion of blue lupines, purple phacelia and yellow primroses is now past. However, orange mallow nods to passers-by; golden flowers grace the neat gray-green mounds of brittlebush; white scabiosa or pincushion perfume the air and the hot pink of the beavertail cactus commands attention. These later blossoms put on a nice show through April.

The National Park Service early developed full facilities at Willow Beach, including a campground in a nearby side canyon, boating facilities and shoreside amenities such as a store, cafe, lounge and motel. Following a disastrous flood elsewhere in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the park service re-evaluated such hazards in all of its developed areas. The likelihood of flood damage to developments at Willow Beach led to closure of many facilities there.

Today, visitors find the little store, snacks and minimal boating conveniences. A gently sloping sandy beach welcomes those launching or landing canoes or kayaks. Located well out of the flood zone, a developed picnic site overlooks a swimming and sunning beach. The views of river and mountains remain outstanding, a reminder of why early planners chose Willow Beach in the first place.

The fish hatchery sits a short distance upstream from the parking area near the store at a point 11 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Part of the fisheries program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the facility centers on a large building housing an office and indoor hatching tanks and raceways. Adjacent to the building, shade covers protect dozens of raceways where fish of various kinds and sizes grow until release. Other buildings at the facility include housing for staff, a garage and a maintenance shed.

Information available inside the office helps visitors understand the purposes of the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. Rainbow trout raised at the hatchery end up in area waters below Hoover Dam. Because of predation by other sport fish like striped bass, the trout population does not renew itself naturally and must be stocked regularly.

The hatchery also plays an important role in perpetuation of native fish such as the bonytail chub and the razorback sucker. These fish thrived in the river before dams were built, a mainstay food source for area native people. The hatchery maintains heated raceways for these species, which prefer warmer water. Hatchery personnel work with tribal officials and other wildlife agencies to find safe places to release them. In wetlands and shallow backwaters, these native fish have a chance of survival and natural increase. These protected creatures are tagged so that anglers catching them will know to release them.

Only hatchery personnel visit the fish eggs and tiny fry inside the hatchery because of their vulnerability to pollution, disease and disturbances. Open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., free of charge, the outdoor tanks house older fish less affected by outside influences.

Hatchery staff members work toward public awareness through presentations, educational tours and special programs with schools such as Swainston Middle School in Las Vegas, where students raise razorback suckers in their classroom. For more information on group visitation and special programs call the hatchery manager, Chester Figiel at (928) 767-3456.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's Trip of the Week column appears Sundays.