California-Great Basin

Sharing Water with Nature

River Ride

• A fast, smooth ride - safely on their way.

In the late spring and late summer, juvenile salmon need a quick ride to the sea, spending less than a month in freshwater.

• A slow rough ride - open to prey

The instream water and safe paths needed may conflict with demands for irrigation withdrawals. What is the solution?

• When years are dry, fish need not die.

Very efficient use of water on the farm will leave enough water to share with fish. Through careful use there is enough water for all.

Flushing Flows

• A silt covered gravel bed

Weak flows in a depleted river deposit fine silt that clogs and covers the stream gravel where salmon nest.

• The salmon should see "redd" (salmon nest)

Strong flows flush away the silt, preparing the gravel riffles for the salmon's arrival.

• A "redd" is a nest, and clean is best!

"Best Management Practices" for farming can reduce water diversions and silty farm runoff.

Fish Screen

• Which is the right way for fish to go?

To protect fish and juvenille salmon from swimming into an agricultural canal, fish screens are placed to help them stay on the right path.

• A fish screen will let them know

Fish are swept safely past the screen, following the natural current.

• Fish now go with the right flow

Fish screens allow farm water to flow while keeping fish in the natural channel where they can reach the sea.