Calamus Fish Hatchery

The Calamus State Fish Hatchery is located at the base of the Virginia Smith Dam seven miles northwest of Burwell The hatchery is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and is operated and maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Calamus Fish Hatchery The Calamus State Fish Hatchery is one of five hatcheries in Nebraska's fish production system. Other hatcheries are located near North Platte, Valentine, Parks and Royal. The available water supply at the Calamus Hatchery is nearly double the amount available at the other four facilities, at an estimated 18,750 gallons per minute. This state-of-the-art facility differs from other Nebraska hatcheries in a number of ways. This is the first state hatchery to utilize a large volume of well water, and have the ability to oxygenate that water, have an ultraviolet disinfecting system; have lined ponds; use a computerized water alarm system; and is able to warm water to specific incubation temperatures through the use of a heat exchanger. A pathology and research laboratory allows biologists to study different fish diseases and parasites, and offers the opportunity to develop new fish culture techniques.