Accomplishments and History
Primary accomplishments by Coquille River STEP
- The construction of Cunningham Creek STEP hatchery(1987). This is located on Coquille High School campus.
- Converted the South Fork Coquille winter steelhead broodstock, from a general Coquille River stock to a South Fork stock.
- Construct and operate the steelhead smolt acclimation sites at Woodard and Beaver Creek on the South Fork.
- Net and trap hundreds of native Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead each year to maintain a healthy hatchery program for fishermen.
- Release thousands of Chinook and Steelhead smolt. Release millions of fry and presmolt Chinook, Steelhead and Coho from hatchboxes and our two hatcheries.
- Constructed dozens of gabions to enhance spawning habitat in the Coquille river(1988-99).
- Net the Coquille River and estuary to monitor the health and abundance of juvenile fall Chinook.
- Work on numerous educational projects with several local schools.
- Co-sponsored the Northwest STEP conference which was the largest event of its kind(2002).
- Constructed the spawning building at the Bandon Hatchery along with staff at the facility.
- Attempted to open and maintain passage through Brewster Gorge on the East Fork.