New Initiatives at the Whitehorse Fishladder Focus on Kids

Media Releases

Jun 03, 2005  Comment

One of the Yukon’s most popular tourist attractions has opened for another season, with some new initiatives aimed at children and families. The Whitehorse Rapids Fishway opened its doors to the public yesterday.

“The fishladder has always been a big hit with the kids,” said Fishway Manager Erin Spiewak. “This year we’re adding some programming that we think will make this facility even more enjoyable and educational.”

Children will be invited to play games that will enhance their understanding of the cycle of the chinook salmon. As well, both children and adults will have a chance to take part in a contest to guess the arrival date of the first salmon of the season. Starting next month, the Yukon government’s Department of the Environment will offer weekly talks with local experts, on everything from the biology of the salmon to how to fly fish.

“We’re also inviting both kids and adults to submit a new design for a fishway T-shirt. There’ll be a prize for the winning entry and the T-shirts will go on sale starting next year,” Spiewak said.

Visitors to the fishladder will still be able to enjoy the things they’ve come to expect at the fishladder. There are four underwater cameras that allow people to view fish from different locations along the ladder. Aquariums inside the viewing facility contain a variety of fresh water fish including rainbow trout and arctic char. There’ll be elders’ talks and display materials that focus on traditional First Nations’ use of the Whitehorse portion of the Yukon River.

Improvements planned for later this summer include new interpretive signage and brochures which tell the story of the chinook salmon and explain the role that the fishladder and the near-by fish hatchery play in maintaining the salmon stocks.

The fishladder was built following the construction of the Whitehorse dam in 1959 to allow migrating Chinook salmon and other species to pass by the structure. It’s owned by Yukon Energy and operated by the Yukon Fish and Game Association.

The facility is one of the principal tourism attractions in Yukon, drawing approximately 30,000 visitors annually.

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Contact:
Janet Patterson
Communications, Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca

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