Iron Gate Fish Hatchery

February 25, 2021

Question: Is Iron Gate Dam on the Klamath River being torn down? If so, what will happen to the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery and stocking of steelhead trout?

Answer: Iron Gate Dam is one of four dams on the Klamath River planned to be removed within the next few years. Iron Gate Fish Hatchery, which is operated by CDFW, will remain mostly in place but will not be operational following dam removal. Only the fish ladder and trap area, which is in the general area of the dam infrastructure, will be removed. A hatchery will be reconstructed and operated on Fall Creek following dam removal. The goal is to help support Coho and Chinook salmon stocks. Iron Gate Fish Hatchery has not produced steelhead since 2012 and CDFW does not plan on producing them at either hatchery in the future. Klamath River steelhead are very resilient and will re-colonize the new river habitat created by dam removal.