Oregon Hatchery Research Center Visitors' Guide

The goal of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center (OHRC) is to answer scientific questions related to fish recovery and hatchery programs. Information gained at the Research Center will help answer questions vital to the success of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and implementation of the Native Fish Conservation Policy. The Oregon Hatchery Research Center is a cooperative research project between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Best time to visit: year-round

What to see and do: The OHRC is strategically located in the Alsea Basin, surrounded by streams and close to coastal fisheries that offer natural laboratories to study the life cycle and interactions of wild and hatchery fish and their management on a broad “basin-to-landscape” basis. The Oregon Hatchery Research Center is a cooperative research project between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The center offers tours and classroom opportunities year-round.

Classroom opportunities: The research center has worked collaboratively with educators to design a science-based curriculum that follows students from first grade through 12th grade and provides an opportuniy at each grade level for students to be involved with an activity at the research center. Students learn about fish anatomy, spawning behaviors and invertabrate identification and participate in art activities.

Nearby: The site is close to other scientific institutions such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon State University.

Directions:
FROM PORTLAND: take I-5 south to the Corvallis/Hwy 34 exit. Turn right (heading west) onto Hwy 34/20, drive 8-10 miles. Follow the signs to Philomath/Ocean Beaches, turning left before you cross the Willamette River. Drive through Corvallis and Philomath, turning left again at the west end of Philomath (follow signs to Alsea/Waldport). Drive 12 miles west of the town of Alsea, then turn right (north) onto East Fall Creek Road. Drive 2 1/2 miles on Fall Creek to reach the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. The main parking lot is in front of the large research/office building. The drive from Portland will take 2-2.5 hours.

FROM EUGENE:  take I-5 north to the Corvallis/Hwy 34 exit.  Turn left (heading west) onto Hwy 34/20, drive 8-10 miles.  Follow the signs to Philomath/Ocean Beaches, turning left before you cross the Willamette River.  Drive through Corvallis and Philomath, turning left again at the west end of Philomath (follow signs to Alsea/Waldport).  Drive 12 miles west of the town of Alsea, then turn right (north) onto East Fall Creek Road.  Drive 2 1/2 miles on Fall Creek to reach the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. The main parking lot is in front of the large research/office building. The drive from Eugene will take 1.5-2.0 hours.

a map of Oregon showing the location of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center

Address and Phone:
Oregon Hatchery Research Center
2457 East Fall Creek Road
Alsea, OR 97324 
541-487-5510
oregonhatchery.researchcenter@odfw.Oregon.gov