Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Gold River closes public areas for ‘slow summer season’
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Gold River has closed its visitor center, parking lot and several fish ponds, also known as raceways, due to maintenance and contract issues.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closures in a Facebook post, stating that the temporary shutdown would not affect hatchery operations. The facility is located at 2001 Nimbus Road, just off Hazel Avenue.
The closures stem from needed repairs to the site’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, along with “ongoing contract negotiations,” according to the department.
Fish and Wildlife officials expect to reopen the public areas in September, following what they described as the “slow summer season.”
The hatchery, which raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release into the American River, typically offers public tours and school visits through its visitor center. In its post, the hatchery said it hopes to reopen those areas “as soon as possible.”
Each fall, the hatchery opens its salmon ladder to support the annual upstream migration of Chinook salmon. The event, often scheduled in late October, allows the public to observe one of the Sacramento region’s key natural phenomena. Storm-fed cold water from Folsom Lake, released through the Folsom and Nimbus dams, supports the migration and egg-laying conditions. Water temperatures must stay below 60 degrees for salmon and trout eggs to survive.
In addition to educational programs, the hatchery’s raceway ponds — where fry and fingerlings are raised — normally remain open to visitors through mid-afternoon. During spawning season, staff perform egg takings on Monday and Thursday mornings, which can be viewed through visitor center windows.
While the current closure affects public access, CDFW said operations will continue behind the scenes, and the hatchery hopes to reopen to visitors “as soon as possible.”
