Idaho Power’s Hells Canyon Complex, which includes Hells Canyon, Oxbow and Brownlee dams, was completed in 1968.

Even before construction ended, Idaho Power realized anadromous fish (ocean fish that swim upstream to breed) populations upstream from the complex were being impacted by the inability of young fish to migrate downstream through Brownlee Reservoir. At Brownlee they were to be intercepted, collected and transported below the complex.

Hatchery History

After considering alternative solutions, Idaho Power opened its first (and the state of Idaho’s first) anadromous fish hatchery near Oxbow Dam in 1962.

Oxbow Hatchery was built as an experimental solution to determine whether we could ensure the river had the same number of adult fish moving upstream before and after dam construction. Ultimately, it was a test to determine if a hatchery effort could help replace lost natural production.

After initial findings were gathered, Rapid River Hatchery opened in 1964, Niagara Springs in 1966 and Pahsimeroi in 1967. Learn more about our hatcheries.

Today, Idaho Power still owns the four anadromous hatcheries, and in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, yields millions of Chinook salmon and steelhead smolts (young ocean bound fish) each year, contributing significantly to anadromous fishing opportunities in Idaho.

Pahsimeroi Hatchery alone produces more than four to five million steelhead eggs annually, some of which are donated to other non-Idaho Power related hatcheries around the state.

What’s more, many of the fish spawned artificially each year are donated to Native Americans, charities and food banks to feed those in need.

We see it as our obligation to ensure we do all we can in our hatchery program to continue to meet production goals that support these fisheries.

Our research and commitment to fish conservation programs remains strong. Our expertise in anadromous fish populations and other Idaho native fish, such as bull trout and white sturgeon, serves anglers, recreationists and environmentalist interests alike.

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