The Fish Facilities Section is comprised of engineers and biologists that deal with fish facility and fish passage issues. The work performed in the Section is coordinated with other agencies and organizations. Fish Facilities accomplishes this coordination by working directly with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and also is active in the Central Valley Fish Facilities Review Team (CVFFRT). CVFFRT meets monthly with participation from, DFG, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), University California at Davis, Central Valley Project Contractors, United States Bureau of Reclamation, National Marine Fisheries Service, and The Bay Institute.

The Section's goal is to support the California Bay Delta Authorities effort to develop and improve existing and proposed fish passage and fish facilities by addressing both engineering and fish biology concerns.

To achieve these goals the Section is developing technologies that address fish issues and criteria for facilities that are efficient, maintainable and operational. This is accomplished by performing field and laboratory studies, along with staying apprised of new information.

We participate as partners with the University California at Davis in the Hydraulics Lab, performing research on both fish behavior and flow hydraulics. We have partnered with UCD in the development of two large flumes at the Hydraulics Lab for fish research. The information that is gathered from these physical models supports the development of concepts for fish facilities and passage structures.

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Ongoing Studies:

• Adult sturgeon swimming ability and behavior
• Debris effects on fish screens and trash racks
• Evaluation of a lock system to pass fish
• Fish passage in the Yolo Bypass Toe Drain

The following three sections comprise the Ecological Studies Branch:

Aquatic Restoration Planning and Implementation Section
Feather River Program  | Fish Facilites Section