Upgraded McIntyre Creek Salmon Incubation Facility to host open house

WHITEHORSE - Following the completion of over $60,000 in upgrades, the newly-renovated McIntyre Creek Salmon Incubation Facility (MCSIF) will host an open house on Sunday June 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There will be a BBQ, hatchery tours, nature-based activities for kids and an opportunity to meet the staff and volunteers who keep the facility running year-round.

“This will be a great opportunity to get up close and learn more about Chinook salmon fry at this stage of life and their entire life cycle,” said Shannon Harvey, MCSIF attendant and Yukon College student.

College staff, students and volunteers have reinforced the dam, installed new round self-cleaning holding tanks for fish as they grow, lighting, walkways and signage. Funding support for the upgrades has come from Yukon College, the Yukon Community Development Fund, the Pacific Salmon Commission, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Y2C2, the Yukon River Panel and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council.

The renovations have increased the capacity of the facility from 20,000 salmon eggs to a potential 200,000 and made it more welcoming and accessible.

Last year, an ongoing partnership with the Ta’an Kwach’an Council saw nine salmon return to spawning grounds in Fox Creek.

The McIntyre Creek Salmon Incubation Facility is located on Mountainview Drive at McIntyre Creek (between the lights at Range Road and the Whistle Bend roundabout). Parking will be available on the side of Mountainview Drive.

For more information please call (867) 668-8887 or email science@yukoncollege.yk.ca.