IRRIGON — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have closed the Irrigon and Umatilla fish hatcheries to public access while maintenance crews work on updates to the facilities.

Irrigon hatchery staff and contractors have started a large pond valve replacement project, which will involve heavy equipment operations on site and create hazards to visitors. Depending on how work progresses, the hatcheries may reopen to the public near the end of June.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife operates the hatcheries. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation co-manage the Umatilla Hatchery, while the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers, co-manages the Irrigon Hatchery. The compensation plan funds maintenance projects as a part of infrastructure upgrades throughout their facilities.