Salem, Ore.—Trucks generally used to haul fish are beginning to haul water to storm-ravaged communities near Vernonia. The trucks, which each hold 2,300 gallons of water, are from the Willamette Hatchery in Oakridge and Cascade Hatchery in Cascade Locks.

“We are pleased to be able to help by getting potable water to the communities that were hit so hard by the storms,” said Hal Boldt, ODFW Fish Liberation coordinator. “Although river waters are receding and roads opening, there are still a lot of people in need.”

In addition to deploying trucks, ODFW staff are preparing portable water tanks in the event water needs to be delivered to areas inaccessible to the larger trucks.

Water deliveries are being made as part of the Oregon Emergency Response System. ODFW staff disinfected fish liberation trucks on Tuesday in accordance with public health criteria in preparation for being called into service.

ODFW also felt the impact of the storm at its Nehalem Hatchery. Due to flooding approximately 200,000 coho and over 150,000 rainbow trout are being moved to the Trask Hatchery.