Interpretation and history at Spring Creek Hatchery

History

The Spring Creek site was historically used by Native Americans for fishing. Although explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark may not have stopped at the particular park site, they did pass through the area while traveling along the river.

At one point, a homestead existed on part of the park property. The site and most of the surrounding area were later owned by the former Broughton Lumber Company. The Broughton mill was established by 1901, primarily as a planing mill which planed rough cut boards. The rough cut boards were cut from raw timber at another mill in Willard, Wash., and then transported by flume to the Broughton mill. Broughton established the first fish hatchery at the approximate site of the current hatchery in 1901. The surrounding area, including the state park, was used by Broughton as a recreation area. At one time the site included a boat ramp.

The fish hatchery was reconstructed in the 1940s following the construction of Bonneville Dam. The Corps of Engineers acquired the hatchery and neighboring property to the west, including the park land, in the 1960s. The hatchery was remodeled and the paved road was installed.

When windsurfing became the prominent recreation activity at the park, management was given to Washington State Parks.

Interpretive opportunities

Interpretive programs and self-guided tours are available at the adjacent Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on select weekends during spawning seasons.

In addition to touring the hatchery, visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing at the park. Wildlife that frequent the site include bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons, flickers, beavers, and many other small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Three species of endangered salmon are known to be present in this area of the Columbia River, an area designated as critical habitat. These include the Snake River sockeye salmon, Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon and the Snake River fall Chinook salmon. Two species of steelhead that are proposed for listing as endangered also are present, including the upper Columbia River steelhead and Snake River steelhead. Many fish attempt to spawn at the waters of the National Fish Hatchery, just east of the park.