Oregon Public Broadcasting

Northwest weather has turned mild. But Washington state wildlife officials are still assessing the storm damage to six fish hatcheries.

Ron Warren from the Department of Fish and Wildlife says flooding at the Voights Creek Hatchery in Pierce County caused about $30,000 damage. Workers had to evacuate at the height of the floods.

At the Spokane Trout Hatchery, manager Guy Campbell says heavy snow load mangled a carport-like cover over a fish pond. It also ripped holes in nets put above other ponds to protect fish from hungry birds.

Guy Campbell: “The good thing is we don’t get hit with a lot of bird predation this time of year. So we’re gonna be looking at coming into springtime when we’re gonna have to get that fixed here.”

Campbell says state officials are trying to figure out where they’ll get the money to pay for repairs and to replace damaged equipment.