Interrogation Site Metadata

The interrogation site is installed within the outlet channel of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Methow Hatchery located on the Methow River at Rk 82.3 from the confluence with the Columbia River. The outlet channel is approximately 690 ft. in length with a variable wetted width, between 3ft. to approximately 10ft. All juvenile fish released from Methow Hatchery navigate through the outlet channel to reach the Methow River, and returning adult fish also migrate up the outlet channel and are often collected in a trap structure at the head end of the channel. The detection systems in the channel were installed in series and were initially comprised of three model 2001F-ISO portable PIT tag detection units using 24 X 24 pass-through antennas. The site was operated seasonally (from April to June) in this manner until April 2014 when an additional single antenna was permanently affixed to the trap structure and operated year-round utilizing an IS1001 reader. In August 2015, the temporary antennas were removed and the site has operated with only the single, permanent antenna since that time. The interrogation system monitors juvenile salmonid emigration from the hatchery facility, and detects adult fish approaching or entering the trapping facility.

Current Operations