Polyurethane Finish: Hatchery Salmon Flourish
- Project: The Carson National Fish Hatchery, Carson, WA
- Scope:Coating-125 mils of DuraShield 310-61, Fish Hatchery Raceways
- Owner:US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Completion Date: 2002
Carson National Fish Hatchery’s rough raceways were wreaking havoc with hatchling’s health. LifeLast DuraShield created a smooth, easy to maintain, fish-friendly habitat. Visiting five years later, fish were flourishing.
NSF Standard 61 certified formulation of LifeLast DuraShield for NSF/ANSI drinking water and system components.
Application of the DuraShield 310-61
The Carson National Fish Hatchery, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, began rearing salmon and trout in 1937. Since 1960, hatchery production has helped spring Chinook populations recover in the lower Columbia River. During the 1980s, the hatchery began rearing spring Chinook salmon exclusively. Due to the loss and degradation of spawning habitat and the impact of dams on migration, the spring Chinook was in rapid decline.
In 2001, the Hatchery was having difficulty cleaning the old fish raceways, which had deteriorated after years of use. Subsequent algae build up and the rough raceway surface was threatening the health of the fish. The need for a repair solution became critical.
A thorough analysis of products and applications was conducted. Ultimately, LifeLast’s eco-friendly, 100% solids DuraShield 310-61 polyurethane was selected. A quick cure time and smooth, even surface reduces downtime, minimizes injury to the fish and develops an even surface that is easy to maintain.
Raceway coated with DuraShield 310-61
The aged, worn, pitted, uneven surface made Carson National Fish Hatchery an ideal candidate for polyurethane coating. In 2002 the surface was steam cleaned to remove residual algae and contaminants, primed and coated with 125 mils of DuraShield 310-61. The preparation and application process are low impact; simple tenting was sufficient to protect surrounding equipment and tanks. The result is a fish-friendly, cost-effective coating that provides many years of protection.
Five years after application, LifeLast made a follow-up site visit to the Carson National Fish Hatchery. The coating was performing flawlessly and the fish population was flourishing. LifeLast continues to partner with hatcheries across the country to provide corrosion and habitat protection systems.
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