The pedestrian bridge at Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery has provided access to beloved fishing spots, trails, and picturesque picnicking for years, connecting local anglers and nature lovers to shores of the lake. The 90-acre water supply reservoir provides anglers the chance to reel in a variety of fish like largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, flier and bowfin.
Recently, the bridge was forced to close for several months due to the condition of the welds supporting the bridge decking. Thanks to the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and the volunteers from Iron Workers Local 28, the public once again has access to the island and all the nature it has to offer.
Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery raises fish and freshwater mussels for stocking rivers in the mid-Atlantic, while also offering the public a variety of recreational opportunities.
When the pedestrian bridge at the hatchery became unsafe for visitors, the hatchery reached out to the Work Boots on the Ground (WBG) conservation program, which serves to unite union members to volunteer their time and skills to local conservation projects.
The community responded and the project quickly gained momentum. Six members of Ironworkers Local 28 donated approximately 24 hours to repair the bridge welds and decking, using machinery and materials provided by Four Square Industrial Constructors.
“When the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Richmond Building Trades reached out to us about repairing the pedestrian bridge, it was an easy yes,” Ironworkers Local 28 Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Poole told USA. “Unions believe in giving back to the communities they live in, and we were happy to help improve the experience of all visitors to the Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery.”
“Every day, the public was asking when the bridge would be open, so having union volunteers fix it at no cost in such a short timeframe was amazingly helpful. We would not have been able to open it this summer without them,” said Hatchery Manager Rachel Mair. “Every time I go up to the lake, it’s busy with people enjoying it—fishing, kayaking, picnicking, birdwatching and just having fun. We really appreciate the union volunteers getting the bridge operational and look forward to a continued partnership with the USA.”
This unique partnership serves as an extraordinary model conservation in action and working together to connect the community back to nature.
“We love opportunities to partner with the USFWS and union members on conservation projects that improve public opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors,” USA Conservation Programs Manager Sam Phipps told USA “and we look forward to working together at future projects at hatcheries and other USFWS managed properties that benefit communities around the nation.”
This story was adapted by from Union’s Sportsmen's Alliance’s story titled Iron Workers Restore Bridge Access at Virginia’s Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery.
