DEC Update on Adirondack Hatchery Power Outage

On May 4, a storm that brought severe high winds to much of upstate New York caused widespread power outages in many locations throughout the North Country, including DEC’s Adirondack Hatchery. Although the backup generator at the hatchery functioned properly during the outage, restored power from the main service line was cut off due to a malfunctioning transfer switch. This malfunction prevented the flow of well water to raceways holding fry, quickly depleting the water of oxygen. It is estimated that 41,000 of the 296,000 fry in the raceways survived.

The transfer switch is being repaired and DEC is actively identifying options for installing new, more modern monitoring and alarm systems to prevent events like these in the future. In addition, the Bureau of Fisheries is working to secure surplus landlocked salmon fry from other northeast states and federal fish hatcheries to help offset these loses.

The result of this event is a significant decrease in the number of landlocked salmon that will be stocked in New York in 2019. DEC has stocked its full compliment of 230,000 spring yearling fish this year. Although unfortunate and significant, the quality of fishing in most of the 41 waters stocked will not be diminished appreciably. In a given body of water, anglers typically catch landlocked salmon 2 to 4 years old, so angler success is not likely to be impacted for several years. Landlocked salmon represent just one piece of New York’s vast coldwater species fishing portfolio, and in larger waters are usually stocked alongside other salmonids such as rainbow trout and brown trout, which provide a similar angling experience.

DEC remains committed to providing anglers with premier fishing opportunities throughout the State and will continue to work diligently on rehabilitating our hatchery infrastructure through funding provided under the NY Works Initiative.‎