Klamath Hatchery open to the public after extensive rebuild from the 2020 fire
Adam Baylor, 503-930-7116, adam.c.baylor@odfw.oregon.gov
Chiloquin, Ore. – After more than five years of recovery, redesign, archaeological review, and complex engineering, ODFW proudly announces the reopening of the Klamath Hatchery to the public on June 1. The facility's restoration marks the end of a long and complicated rebuild following the destruction of the original 100‑year‑old hatchery building during the September 2020 Two Four Two Fire.
Visitors will find fish‑viewing areas, restrooms, picnic spots, and opportunities to observe ODFW's fish‑rearing operations. The access road to the hatchery has soft shoulders in several sections due to past fire damage, and visitors are encouraged to drive carefully.
Visit the Klamath Hatchery Visitors Guide to learn what to expect during your trip and find accessible visitor information.
Klamath Hatchery Fire 2020
On Sept. 8, 2020, as the Two Four Two Fire burned near Chiloquin, hatchery staff evacuated after securing the facility and gathering what they could, uncertain whether the site would stand when they returned. The following morning, the hatchery manager attempted to approach the facility but could only view it from a half mile away as flames advanced across the hillside above the hatchery. Smoke soon rose from the hatch house and office complex, prompting a 911 call.
With most firefighting resources stretched thin across the region, only a handful of volunteer firefighters reached the site. Using hatchery water pumps to draw from rearing ponds, and the facility's tractor to clear brush and cut a fire line, the volunteers shifted efforts toward saving the remaining structures rather than trying to stop the hatchery building, which ignited quickly and was fully engulfed within minutes. Their actions likely saved the staff residences and multiple outbuildings from total loss.
The main hatchery building was destroyed, along with approximately 50,000 triploid brown trout, including 20,000 destined for Diamond Lake.
Within months of the fire, design work began. However, during debris cleanup, crews discovered indigenous and historic cultural resources within the project area. Construction could not proceed until it was known whether the building's footprint could remain unchanged or would need relocation or redesign to avoid sensitive cultural areas.
A full archaeological survey commissioned by ODFW concluded that the hatchery building could be reconstructed in its original location and the design phase resumed.
With cultural resource clearance secured, ODFW's Engineering Section finalized plans for a modern concrete, non‑combustible structure to replace the original wood‑framed building. But during the initial pre‑bid site meeting, engineers observed excessive moisture in the footprint of the former hatchery building. A geotechnical consultant determined that the existing soils could not support the heavier concrete design.
This finding required a full foundation redesign based on driven steel piles. In total, 81 steel piles now support the new hatchery building, with an additional 50 piles installed beneath the tall retaining wall behind the structure. This created a modern, resilient foundation with dramatically improved fire and structural performance.
Because of the engineering adjustments, ODFW separated the rebuild into two phases: Phase 1 included demolition, site work, installation of steel piles, partial foundation construction, and retaining wall installation. Phase 2 included completing the foundation, performing civil site work, and constructing the new hatchery building.
"Rebuilding the Klamath Hatchery required us to confront challenges we couldn't have anticipated," said Ryan McCormick, ODFW Chief Engineer. "Installing more than 130 steel piles was a major undertaking, but it ensured this facility will stand for generations. The new hatchery is safer, more resilient, and built to support the basin's future fish production needs."
The new hatchery building is slightly larger than the original and its rearing room was redesigned to provide expanded capacity. The reconfigured space supports the hatchery's primary trout production and provides additional flexibility for other propagation needs in the basin.