Hatcheries

The Leaburg Hatchery and McKenzie Hatchery have been temporarily closed to comply with permit conditions from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Visitors should be aware that no fish are present in the facilities’ production raceways and show ponds. Fish have been transferred off-site but officials report there has been no change to trout stocking in Willamette Valley waterbodies nor any reductions in production of trout or salmon from the facilities as a result of this shift.

Trout and Spring Chinook for release in 2025 will be returned to the hatcheries in November and operations will then return to normal. Anglers can continue to park in designated visitor parking areas at the Leaburg Hatchery and drive through the facility to access fishing spots.

Scholarship

Raffle tickets are on sale for a fundraiser for the Doug Dunbar Memorial Scholarship, which supports post-high school education for kids in the upper McKenzie River area. The drawing for the winner of a Great Horned Owl carving by Randy Dunbar will be held at the McKenzie River Community Celebration on September 2nd.

Doug Dunbar graduated from McKenzie High School and worked under me in the Forest Service fire organization in Blue River. After a few seasons, he joined the Prineville Hotshot Crew. He died along with 13 other firefighters on July 6, 1994, at the South Canyon Fire in Colorado.

Scholarship candidates who are graduates (or the equivalent) of McKenzie High School or residents of Vida, Nimrod, Finn Rock, Blue River or McKenzie Bridge are eligible. For more information, go to: ocf.iphiview.com

I Voted

The County Clerk’s Office is inviting students to enter the Lane County “I Voted” Coloring Page Contest. Students are encouraged to design an “I Voted” Coloring Page that will be included with mailed ballots for the November 5th Presidential Election.

There will be four separate categories - from Kindergarten to college. Each winning design will be featured on a quarter section of an 8 ½ x 11 sheet, including the first name and last name initial, grade, and school of the student.

All submissions must be submitted on a plain white background, with black outlines, which will allow voters the opportunity to color the design and upload their colored rendition to #lanecountyvotes.

Submissions will be accepted through August 1st via email, mail, or in person. All entries must be submitted on the official entry form and must be signed by a parent/guardian or the entrant if they are age 18 or older. For more information, go to: tinyurl.com/k66dryss