USF&W National Fish Hatchery PRAS System
Project Description
Sustainable aquaculture is no longer a future aspiration—it’s a present-day necessity. As fisheries managers across the United States work to protect native species and restore fish populations, infrastructure must evolve to balance operational performance with environmental stewardship. Integrated-Aqua (IAS) is proud to support this mission through the successful delivery of a Partial Recirculating Aquaculture System (PRAS) for a U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USF&W) salmon and steelhead hatchery in Washington State.
This project demonstrates how advanced system engineering, high-efficiency equipment, and hands-on technical expertise can work together to support conservation goals while reducing water consumption and operational complexity.
Project Details
CLIENT
US Fish & Wildlife Service
LOCATION
Leavenworth, WA, USA
PROJECT TYPE
Aquaculture
PRODUCTS
A Practical Approach to Water Sustainability
PRAS technology is designed to recirculate up to 75% of system water without the need for biofiltration. Compared to full RAS systems, PRAS offers several advantages:
- Reduced system complexity
- Lower capital and maintenance costs
- Simplified operations
- Significant water savings
For public hatcheries balancing performance, reliability, and environmental stewardship, PRAS provides an efficient and sustainable solution.
Complete Equipment Package & Technical Support
IAS supplied the full PRAS equipment package for the hatchery, along with comprehensive on-site startup, commissioning, and staff training services to ensure long-term success.
Key components included:
High-Efficiency Pumping
Pentair Berkeley and Aurora vertical line shaft turbine pumps were engineered to operate at their Best Efficiency Points (BEP), maximizing hydraulic performance while minimizing energy use and mechanical wear.
Automated Solids Filtration
Amiad inline filters and HEX X-series drum filters provide automatic, self-cleaning solids removal. This ensures consistent water clarity, reduces labor requirements, and supports fish health.
Advanced UV Disinfection
SITA Model 400 Series UV sterilizers with advanced TC control panels deliver up to 300 mJ/cm² UV dose for effective pathogen control and enhanced biosecurity.
Energy-Efficient Aeration
Regenerative blowers supply air to culture tanks through efficient disc diffusers, maintaining optimal dissolved oxygen levels while reducing energy consumption.
Supporting Conservation Through Innovation
The U.S. National Fish Hatchery system plays a critical role in protecting and restoring salmon and steelhead populations. By implementing a PRAS solution, this Washington facility now benefits from improved water conservation, operational efficiency, and system reliability—without unnecessary complexity.
Beyond equipment supply, IAS remains committed to delivering sustainable aquaculture systems that balance environmental responsibility with performance. Through thoughtful engineering and hands-on support, IAS continues to help hatcheries and producers build resilient, future-ready water infrastructure.
“The UV system in our partial reuse aquaculture system has been running well, the UV has been more than capable of eliminating pathogens/parasites in the incoming river water. Our main concern has been Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, and we have seen no signs of the parasite in our system.”
– Chris Griffith, Leavenworth NFH
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