Mantua reservoir in Utah.
Photo: Adobe Stock
A state-run trout hatchery in Utah has reported improved water conditions following the installation of a degassing system supplied by aquaculture technology supplier Innovasea, part of a wider programme to modernise ageing infrastructure and support egg production at the site.
The system was installed at Mantua Fish Hatchery to address heightened levels of dissolved gas in the water. Innovasea said its vacuum degasser uses negative pressure to release excess dissolved gases, reducing total gas pressure (TGP) at the site from peaks of around 120% to levels as low as 90%.
Elevated total gas pressure (TGP) is often encountered in hatcheries that rely on cold groundwater sources, where high gas levels can pose risks to eggs and fish in early life stages. Innovasea said the reduction in TGP had helped stabilise water conditions at the facility.
“Our team worked closely with the staff at Mantua Hatchery to analyse water conditions and assess potential solutions,” said Marc Turano, vice president at Innovasea. “By combining their operational insights with our technical expertise, we optimized the system to deliver consistent, impactful results for improved egg production.”
Mantua Fish Hatchery was originally built in 1910 as part of a private fishing resort, and was acquired by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in 1970. Due to the area’s cold water temperatures, the facility is now primarily used for trout egg production rather than fish grow-out, with parts of the site modernised in 2014.
The most recent phase of modernisation includes new egg-handling facilities, additional equipment disinfection stations, and barriers designed to reduce the risk of invasive species entering the site. The hatchery produces more than 6 million trout eggs annually, accounting for around 30% of Utah’s total trout output.
