In a milestone moment for Utah’s outdoor community, the reconstruction of the Loa Fish Hatchery is officially underway, bringing with it a revitalized future for fisheries across the state. With support from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and design led by Sunrise Engineering, the new facility will be the most productive and cost-effective fish hatchery in Utah’s history.

Originally built in 1936, the Loa Hatchery was shut down in 2014 due to contamination from invasive New Zealand mud snails and aging infrastructure that could no longer meet modern biosecurity and fish health standards. After a detailed feasibility study and years of planning, Sunrise was selected to lead the redevelopment of this vital facility.

Engineering for the Future

The new hatchery is designed to produce 350,000 pounds of fish annually, increasing the state’s overall production capacity by 30%. That boost will help meet growing demand from Utah’s angling population, which is expected to increase by 25% by 2050. It also relieves pressure on other hatcheries that have been operating beyond capacity and supports key management goals such as biodiversity and urban fishing programs.

The facility will feature modern, biosecure infrastructure, including a protected water source, updated raceways, and advanced systems to prevent the spread of disease and aquatic invasive species. With sustainability and efficiency at the forefront, the Loa Hatchery is poised to become a model for hatchery design throughout the region.

Community Impact and Collaboration

Public engagement was a key part of the planning process. Sunrise’s Jeff Putzke led the public involvement efforts, working with state agencies, community members, and stakeholders to ensure the project reflected both environmental responsibility and local priorities.

“Initially, there were concerns from residents about increased truck traffic and environmental impacts,” Putzke explained. “We held public meetings and coordinated closely with Wayne County to address those questions transparently.”

Thanks to this outreach, the project has been embraced as a vital investment, not just in fish production, but in rural economic development. The hatchery will create six full-time jobs in Wayne County, with salaries that significantly outpace the county average. Additionally, two seasonal positions and up to 20 construction jobs will support local families and businesses over the coming years.

“Employing six people in Wayne County has the same impact as employing over 1,200 on the Wasatch Front,” noted Putzke. “This project makes a real difference in the community.”

Rebuilding a Statewide Asset

Once completed, the hatchery will help stock waters across southern and central Utah, including popular destinations like Fish Lake, Otter Creek Reservoir, and the Boulder Mountains. It will also give the DWR flexibility to make upgrades at other hatcheries without risking production losses.

“Utahns are passionate about fishing,” said Putzke. “The Loa Hatchery supports that tradition by helping ensure a sustainable, healthy fish population for generations to come.”

Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2027, but the benefits of this long-anticipated rebuild are already taking shape—blueprints becoming brook trout, and a shuttered facility reborn as a cornerstone of Utah’s wildlife future.