Deadman River Hatchery project

The Deadman River Hatchery is located on Skeetchestn First Nation land along the Deadman River, a tributary of the Thompson River near Savona, BC. Operated by the Skeetchestn Indian Band in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the hatchery plays a vital role in conserving and rebuilding threatened salmon populations in the North Thompson watershed.

Originally established in 1985 as a counting fence and pilot hatchery, the facility now supports enhancement production, habitat restoration, stock assessment, and community education. These efforts are critical for North Thompson coho and chinook salmon, which are listed as at-risk by COSEWIC and prioritized under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy.

Through investments from the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, the hatchery has undergone significant upgrades, including:

• upgraded water supply and filtration systems for improved water quality
• enhanced incubation and rearing infrastructure to increase egg and fry survival
• expanded operational capacity and flexibility to support fish health and long term climate adaptability
• electronic fish counters for accurate adult enumeration
• expanded space and improved educational viewing areas for school and community programs

The Deadman River Hatchery plays a key role in rebuilding local salmon populations, focusing primarily on coho salmon broodstock collection to support conservation objectives and community stewardship. Chinook salmon production is also being explored as part of future watershed planning and habitat enhancement initiatives. Each spring, local schools visit the hatchery to release juvenile fish and observe Coho smolts, creating hands-on learning experiences that foster awareness and stewardship among youth.

These efforts aim to:

• improve and monitor habitat quality in the Deadman River watershed
• support sustainable fisheries and ecosystem health
• maintain genetic integrity and rebuild at risk wild salmon populations

For more information, contact the Skeetchestn Natural Resources Program:

Don Ignace
Natural resources manager

Telephone: 250-819-6729
Email: Don.Ignace@snrcorp.ca