One of the United States' largest federal fish hatcheries restores wild stocks of paddlefish, alligator gar and snapping turtle

摘要

The Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is one of the largest Federal fish hatcheries in the nation and the only Federal hatchery in Oklahoma. Located 16 km northwest of the town of Tishomingo, the hatchery was opened in 1929. It has over 62 ponds covering 1633 ha, served by water drawn from Pennington Creek via a 1.6 km-long canal. Pennington Creek is spring fed from the Arbuckle/ Simpson aquifer, and in times of drought is a reliable source of clean water.The creek flows through granite outcroppings that are among the oldest rock formations in the mid continent. There are additionally two wells: a 9-m, hand-dug well produces approximately 227 l/min (60 usgpm), and the other, 91-m well, yields about 454 l/min (120 gpm). The size and reliability of the water sources, and ample space make it relatively easy for Tishomingo NFH to accommodate new species, while maintaining its traditional commitments.