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Carlos Echevarria
Hatchery Manager
5308 Spring Street
Warm Springs, GA 31830
(706) 655-3382
FAX: (706) 655-9034
E-mail: warmsprings@fws.gov
 Fact
Sheet
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Station
Facts
- Established: 1899.
- This facility is a warmwater
hatchery that was authorized by Congress in 1898.
- The species of fish propagated
here do best in spring and summer water temperatures of 60 degrees to
85 degrees Fahrenheit. Species such as striped bass, sturgeon, robust
redhorse and paddlefish which are vital to the fishery resources of
the Southeastern United States and the Atlantic Coast are raised here
and stocked in cooperation with the various state game and fish agencies.
- The staff includes five
people; four biologists and maintenance worker.
- The Warm Springs NFH consists
of 56 acres with 40 ponds totaling 18.23 acres of water.
- Operations budget (FY04)
$381,358.
Geographic Area Covered
Primary area of concern is Georgia, but work performed benefits species
throughout the 10-state Southeast Region.
Station Goals
- Restores and manages interjurisdictional
coastal and riverine fishes such as shortnose sturgeon and Gulf sturgeon.
- Recovers species listed
under the Endangered Species Act, such as: the endangered shortnose
sturgeon, Gulf sturgeon and the imperiled paddlefish.
- Develops culture techniques
for native fishes and other aquatic animals.
- Develops hatchery product
evaluation techniques.
Services Provided To
- Federal agencies including
other Fish and Wildlife Service program offices.
- State agencies.
- Native American Tribes.
- Military bases.
- Universities.
- Non-governmental organizations
(NGO’s).
- The public.
Activity Highlights
- Three sturgeon species are
currently on station: shortnose, Gulf and lake sturgeon.
- Gulf Coast strain striped
bass are cultured and distributed for restoration work in the Gulf of
Mexico.
- Robust redhorse are hatched
and reared on station for recovery of this species.
Fish Species and Capability
- Gulf striped bass, including
eight-year classes of captively reared broodfish.
- Endangered shortnose sturgeon,
including captively reared broodfish.
- Threatened Gulf sturgeon,
held for development of culture techniques.
- Facilities include a large
recirculated intensive culture/ holding system; a large tank for holding
large fish species; a large recirculated egg incubation/larval rearing
system; and numerous holding and intensive rearing tanks.
- Water supply is from three
springs; one spring supply has the capability of being buffered to meet
the requirements of individual species.
Public Use Opportunities
- Public aquarium and visitor’s
area.
- Environmental education
and public outreach opportunities to visitors, school groups and various
other organizations. Beautiful surroundings and natural environment.
- Aquatic displays for off-site
presentations.
Calendar of Events
February:
Fish-a-Rama, Atlanta and Perry, Georgia.
June: Youth Fishing
Event.
The hatchery celebrated
100 years of operation on September 25, 1999.
Questions
and Answers
Where does water needed
for hatchery operations come from?
Water for station
operations originates from several springs on station. Water from Cold
Springs is shared with the town of Warm Springs. This water flows out
of the ground at a constant temperature of 17 degrees centigrade year
round. Water leaving the station eventually runs into the Flint River.
How are the ponds and tanks
used?
Each of the 40 ponds on station has an individual fresh water
supply and drain. They range in size from 0.1 to 1.6 surface acres. Many
of the ponds now have electrical outlets for power equipment and have
full time supplemental aeration available. All ponds have a sloped bottom
allowing water and fish to be concentrated in harvesting basins when they
are drained. The hatchery also has hatching jars, aquariums, tanks and
cages of various capacities for hatching and rearing aquatic species.
These facilities are used to culture a variety of aquatic species
such as striped bass for eventual distribution under guidelines of established
management plans. The facilities may, however, be used to evaluate new
hatchery techniques for species under culture which may not yet be stocked
into public waters under existing management plans.
Is the hatchery open
to the public?
Yes, our facilities include a public aquarium and displays
which highlight the work done on station and by the Fish and Wildlife
Service. Educational opportunities for groups exist during visits to learn
more about hatchery operations and resource issues.
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