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Salmonid Screening, Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Division (SSHEAR) 1997 Annual Report

Category: Habitat - Fish Passage Technical Assistance

Date Published:  1998

Number of Pages: 75

Salmonids are an integral part of the culture and economy of the Pacific Northwest. Each year, millions of dollars in revenues are generated in Washington by sport and commercial fisheries for these species. In addition, the presence and abundance of salmonids is an indicator of environmental quality. Protection and enhancement of salmonids and the habitats that support them are essential. Correction of human-made fish passage barriers such as impassable culverts, dams, floodgates, degraded fishways, or weirs is one of the most cost effective methods of salmonid enhancement and restoration. Large amounts of habitat can be brought into production by correcting these fish passage barriers. To address these problems, the Fish Passage Unit performs several major functions: fishway inspections, fishway operations and maintenance, fish passage inventory work, major project development, database management, and training/consultation on fish passage related issues. The unit is composed of specialized fish biologists and scientific technicians. Following is a summary of work completed in 1997.