THE FARM

Eucumbene Trout Farm Weather and the effect on the Trout

Trout are not native to Australia and are a cold water fish. Therefore the oxygen levels in the water are critical to their survival.

Cold water increases the oxygen levels, and explains our location at some 1100 metres above sea level. On the other side waste, decaying vegetation and Trout numbers will reduce oxygen levels as of course does warmer water.

A Trout for instant uses five times more oxygen at around 25°C than at 0°C and may well perish at these higher levels . We must appreciate that extreme conditions as was the case in January of 2013 that the trout are under stress. By example oxygen in the water on the farm in open ponds

Winter 2012 > 95%
Summer 2012/3 < 55%

The chart below shows temperatures and the critical zone for watching oxygen is between October 31 through to 31 March, when our aeration systems can be seen operating.

Aeration means by an example, that in our ten growout tanks of 18.5m3 and 18,500 litres of water based on our 80 litre air pump will support 40kg's of Trout above 20°C.

We at Eucumbene Trout Farm measure the oxygen, properly called, disolved oxygen levels and are introducing new systems to mediate the effect of warmer weather with aeration systems which will be fully operational for summer 2013/14. It is all part of our sustainable management:

  • controlling trout concentrations,
  • food intake,
  • oxygen levels and
  • extends to cleaning regimes, among the key factors.

Historically, the farm relied on water “churning”, however while this can assist, warm water is warm water and if oxygen poor it will not assist and finally in 2013 requires to much energy which is cost prohibitive, that is pumping 1 litre of air is much more efficient that a litre of water weighing 1kg. While, should we need to in extreme conditions going forward the pumps can still be used offset by the pending installation of solar power system.

Temperature chart 2012 &cop;Weatherzone

Our Process

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Some Facts

2964

Estimated trout in lake

33

km from Jindabyne

24360

Visitors since opening

1140

m above sea level