THIRTY-FIEST BIENNIAL REPORT 69 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF HYDRAULICS 



By John Spencer^, in charge 



The thirtieth biennial report for the years 1926-1928 gave a brief 

 outline of the formation and methods of operation of the bureau. The 

 operations for the thirty-first biennium have practically been in accord 

 with that procedure and in other respects ]io material changes have 

 occurred. The patrol forces furnish much of the initial data for actions 

 taken by the bureau and the friendly and cooperative spirit evidenced 

 is much appreciated and is an important factor in the progress of the 

 work. Some measure of return is given in that when installations of 

 fish screens and fish ladders are effected or repaired, or pollution of 

 public waters obviated, favorable local sentiment is engendered to a 

 degree for the application of the fish and game laws without favor and 

 greater respect for the deputy. 



When the bureau was first organized much opposition was apparent 

 when efforts were made to have screens or ladders installed. It can not 

 be said that at this date opposition to the program of the Division of 

 Fish and Game, as it pertains to this bureau, has been entirely over- 

 come, and it is doubtful if such a condition will ever be realized as 

 costs of screen and ladder installations or the prevention of pollution 

 are moneys expended which give no tangible return to the party 

 required to make the expenditure. There is seen, however, more of a 

 willingness to consider and discuss the matters connected with these 

 installations. Every effort has been expended to call for installations 

 in their order of importance to fish conservation and the bureau has 

 assisted in all ways possible. The law must be applied impartially or 

 there can be no measure of success to a screen or ladder installation 



program. 



FISH SCREENS 



In the last two sessions of the legislature efforts were made to amend 

 the present fish screen bill, section 629 of the Penal Code. Had these 

 amendments carried section 629 would have been of no value or the 

 cost would have been passed on to the Commission. Similar measures 

 no doubt will be introduced in the future, but with the facts at hand 

 such procedure should cause no concern. If section 629 can not stand 

 the test of examination then it should be amended. 



The preceding biennial report referred to criticisms made of the 

 screens in use by the Commission and the results of a conference called 

 by the Commission of irrigationists and power companies in April, 

 1926. The two committees appointed at that time to study fish screens 

 have not as yet given the Commission the benefit of any findings. It 

 may be inferred that the criticisms of fish screens are not founded on 

 fact, but the evidence of a more definite spirit of cooperation would be 

 highly desirable. 



Examinations of diversions have been made in the past biennium as 

 needed, some fish screens installed and repairs made of existing screens 

 so that they would be fully efficient. Probably the most valuable fish 



