ODFW Fish Screening & Passage Restoration Projects - Lower Columbia River 2011/13 Biennium

This project reports fish screening and passage projects implemented in the Lower Columbia domain. These projects were cost-shared with PCSRF funds through a 2011/13 Biennium OWEB/ODFW agreement. The ODFW Fish Screens and Passage Program cost share program: 1) assists water users to implement projects that protect fish from impacts associated with the diversion of water, and 2) assists fish passage barrier owners to address artificial obstructions toward an approved fish passage solution.

The project was comprised of 5 worksites; actions included: a) improved fish screens at 3 worksites, 2 new screens were installed and 1 existing screen was replaced/modified; screening 25.55 cfs; and b) fish passage was improved at 2 diversion barriers (worksites), a gate was improved at one diversion and a fish ladder was installed at the other diversion, improving passage to 35 miles of stream).

PCSRF FFY 2012 funds were expended on project costs incurred during the FFY 2012 contract award period. PCSRF FFY 2011 funds and ‘Other’ sources of funds were used to initiate the project.

Unscreened or poorly screened diversions create a direct take on fish migrating or rearing near the diversion intake. By installing or replacing poorly functioning screens this ODFW program prevents the loss of fish at unscreened or poorly functioning screes at diversions, directly increasing fish survival during the freshwater stage of their lifecycle. In addition voluntary fish passage projects are implemented to address all types of artificial obstructions toward an approved fish passage solution.