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October 15, 2012
CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The road to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Sandy Fish Hatchery will close for repaving for up to two days during the week of Oct. 22-26.
Located approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Sandy off of SE Ten Eyck, the SE Fish Hatchery is the only motorized access to the Sandy hatchery. In addition to providing access to the hatchery, the road provides access to the Cedar Creek trailhead, a popular jumping off point for anglers hiking the half-mile trail to the mouth of Cedar Creek at its confluence with the Sandy River. The mouth of Cedar Creek is a popular coho fishing destination in the fall.
The road closure was scheduled during the week to minimize the impact on weekend angling, according to Todd Alsbury, ODFW district fish biologist. The work is road work is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 22-23 but is weather-dependent and subject to change. Anglers who want to make sure of the exact work dates before venturing out to the river are encouraged to call the Sandy hatchery at 503-668-4222.
Alsbury noted that coho anglers looking for an alternative to the Sandy hatchery access point might want to consider Sandy River Park. Sandy River Park is a 124-acre city-owned park accessed by entering the trailhead at the end of Marcy Street in Sandy. Parking is available in the Sandy High School gravel parking lot on Bluff Rd. From there, anglers can hike a 1-mile stretch of old logging road to the river. Alsbury also suggests that during the road closure anglers consider trying out some other popular fishing locations, including Oxbow and Dabney parks, which have plenty of public river access.
The paving is part of $4 million improvement project at the Sandy hatchery funded by the city of Portland. The project includes a new intake and screening system for the hatchery, fish passage improvements and improved trapping and sorting facilities.
The contractor on the project is Stellar J from Woodland, Wash. Construction has been underway since June 1 and is nearing completion.
The paving will cover about 1,000 feet of roadway from the hatchery to near the intake on SE Fish Hatchery road. |
