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Pisgah Forest, N.C. (June 15) - The popular outdoor trout raceway at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest will be closed beginning Tuesday, June 15 for an estimated two to four weeks. A major renovation project that will modernize the water circulation system requires the emptying of the raceways. This new system will recycle the water in the hatchery raceways rather than make a constant draw on the upstream waters of the Davidson River. The staff of the Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Inland Fisheries is directing this project. Melinda Patterson, director of the Pisgah Center, said all other exhibits will be open as usual, and all regular programming will continue. A new entrance to the garden and wetlands exhibits has been constructed to make access easier. “Since the construction crew will not be sure of the timeline of the project until they get into the present water system, we will have to wait on their advice," Patterson said. "We have been told that the lower raceways that are part of our exhibit will be installed first, so we hope for a reopening date in about two to three weeks. "There are, of course, plenty of trout to see from our observation deck over the Davidson River," she added. "But we suggest that anyone who is coming up specifically to see the fish in the raceways, please call ahead first to see if they are open yet.” The Pisgah Center is located adjacent to the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery on Road 475, off U.S. 276 North in Pisgah National Forest. The center contains a gift shop, indoor aquariums, a paved outdoor nature trail, wild plants garden and a 20 minute wildlife movie. The facility is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission fee. For more information, directions or to make a reservation for a special program, please call the Pisgah Center at (828) 877-4423. |