Hatchery/Nursery Operations
From our early beginnings in 1955 when we
raised approximately 3,000 Trout in the ponds at Kerr Park, we have made
significant investments over the years in nursery operations to accommodate
the increased fishing opportunities on the East Branch of the Brandywine
Creek and Beaver Creek.
At one time the Brandywine Trout and
Conservation Club operated three local trout nurseries, which was more than
any other local organization or cooperative nursery. At that time we
raised approximately 14,000 to 16,000 Brook, Rainbow, Brown, and Palomino
Trout fingerlings. These fish help to supplement the states stocking
program providing a robust fishery not only in the spring, but also
throughout the year.
Locust Springs Nursery
Our first "raceway" was built and approved by
the state in October of 1981. The 50ft long x 4ft wide x 2ft deep
raceway received it's full allocation of 2,200 trout in June of 1982.
Approximately 1,200 were stocked the following year. For the period
1983 to 1994 this nursery raised 1,500 Brook Trout annually. In 1995,
as a result of development pressure our water source disappeared.
Devereux Nursery #1
In 1982 we gained approval for our
Devereux nursery site in East Brandywine. Located in a secluded
springhouse, this site has excellent conditions for raising Brown Trout.
The club received it's first delivery of 2,500 fingerlings in June 1983 and
approximately 925 were stocked the following year. While this site
provides an excellent location to raise Brown Trout, the club is not allowed
to raise trout due to a new development which is under construction at this
time. The new development will put stress on this water source and it
will most likely disappear in the near future.
Purdue Trout Nursery
In 1985 opportunity presented itself with
an additional nursery site in East Bradford. Approved by the state in
July 1985, we received 1,300 trout in 1986, stocking 794 trout the following
year. A major renovation project was completed in 2000 and 2001
providing for a concrete bottom and adding a sectioning wall to allow for
better control of new fingerlings as well as protection from predators.
This nursery was responsible for delivering between 4,500 and 6,000
fingerlings for stocking.
This property has been bought by the
township and is no longer in use as a trout nursery.
Kerr Park Trout Nursery
During this period, a major improvement
was made to the original nursery in Kerr Park. With assistance from
the Borough of Downingtown, and significant funding generated through club
fundraisers, the club converted one of the open ponds to a raceway 90ft long
x 4ft wide x 2ft deep. This nursery has a limestone source making it
ideally suited for raising trout. At that time this nursery
consistently received about 4,000 fingerlings annually from the state and
delivered 3,000 for stocking in each of the following years.
Devereux Nursery #2
Since these humble beginnings, we have
continually made improvements at each of these facilities while they are in
operation. Perhaps the single largest improvement was the installation
of Sweetwater aeration systems in each nursery. Enabling a higher
level of dissolved oxygen in the water has allowed the club to increase the
number of fingerlings that can be raised in each nursery. It has also
improved the percentage of fish stocked relative to the number of
fingerlings received from the state.
|