REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 39 



until tlie early winter of 1919 that we were enabled to undertake the 

 work. While there were many unexpected delays in eoniploting the 

 construction, the station was all ready for operations by the middle of 

 February, 1920, and the crew on the ground and in readiness for 

 handling the largest take of eggs since the establishment of the station. 

 But all of our efforts were unavailing. Week succeeded week of clear 

 warm siiiiiincf wi'.ithci-. 'I'licrc was no snow in the iiioiiiitains and none 

 of the usual s])riii<;' freshets to increase the flow of water in the Eel 

 River sufificiently to jici-mit the breeding fish to ascend to the upper 

 reaches of the river. During Apiil tlio country in this section was as 

 dry as it generally is in September. Springs, which normally flow 

 throughout the entire year, dried up in April and May. 



Only a very few fish succeeded in getting up as far as our station, 

 and only 750,000 eggs were obtained as a result of our entire season's 

 work. These were shipped to Ukiah Hatchery where they were 

 "eyed" and from there sent to Fort Seward Hatchery. 



During the biennial period 375,000 steelhead trout fry were hatched 

 and reared at Snow Mountain Station and distributed in tributaries of 

 the Eel River. 



BROOKDALE HATCHERY. 



All of the steelhead trout eggs taken at Scott Creek Station are imme- 

 diately transported to Brookdale Hatchery where they are properly 

 "eyed" and whei'e all surplus eggs are packed and shipped to other sta- 

 tions. During the two years 1,559,000 steelhead trout were distributed 

 in the waters of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties and a few also in 

 Monterey and San ilateo counties. 



Brookdale Hatchery is the property of Santa Cruz County and is 

 operated by this Conunission under an agreement providing that a 

 half million steelhead trout fry be planted each year in the waters of 

 Santa Cruz County under the direction of the board of supervisors. 



Owing to the steady decrease in the water supply at Brookdale 

 Hatchery during the last four years of drought and the increased 

 amount u.sed by the residents of Brookdale during the early summer, 

 when the hatchery shoidd have its maximum supply, we were greatly 

 embarrassed in carrying on our hatchery operations. There was not 

 sufficient water to keep the fish in good condition after the first of July, 

 and the fry had to be distributed too early to get the best results. We 

 are of the opinion that a new hatchery site should be selected in Santa 

 Cruz County, if conditions do not improve next season. It is very 

 doubtful if water conditions will improve at Brookdale Hatchery, as 

 the water has been getting less each season for the last five years. 



