Purchased in 1956, the Mt. Shavano Hatchery is one of the largest trout units in the state. Mt. Shavano produces approximately 500,000 whirlingdisease-negative, catchable (10-inch) trout and about 2 million subcatchable fish (2−5 inches) per year. Species such as rainbow, Snake River cutthroat, cutthroat-rainbow crosses and kokanee salmon are raised at the unit. Fish receive high-protein, vitamin-rich pellet feed, 2−10 times daily, depending on the size of the fish. It takes 12−14 months of intensive culture to produce a 10-inch trout. Fish are loaded into 1,000-gallon tanks on f latbed diesel trucks. T hese fish are planted in lakes, reservoirs and rivers throughout Colorado. Water for the raceways, ponds and hatchery troughs is supplied from large underground springs. The water temperature varies little, with a seasonal average of 50 degrees F.