50 



REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



But the most important, considered from an engineering standpoint, 

 is the fishway constructed through solid rock over a dam in the Amer- 

 ican River at Folsom. The problem there presented was unusual. The 

 obstruction to be overcome was approximately 60 feet in height. The 

 expense of this work was borne jointly by the Sacramento Gas and 

 Electric Railway Company and the State Prison at Folsom, the })rison 

 authorities furnishing the labor, and the Electric Company furnishing 

 tools, cement, powder, and the services of an experienced engineer to 

 direct the work. Through the courtesy of the honorable Board of State 

 Prison Directors, 1,200 days of convict labor were granted, this being 



FlSHWAY AT FOLSOM DAM, AMERICAX RIVER. 



Shown at a hiah stage of water. Fishway, 310 feet long, forming two sides of a triangle, apex 

 down stream. Pools, 8 by 10 feet, and 3 feet deep, 



the contribution of the State to this important piece of work. The 

 State being one of the beneficiaries of this dam, receiving the first '' drop"' 

 of the water diverted for power to operate certain machinery connected 

 with the State's penal institution, we felt justified in asking of the 

 Prison Directors that they furnish the necessary labor. Our request 

 was cheerfully granted. Shad being the principal fish that frequent 

 the American River at this point, an unusual fishway had to be con- 

 structed to enable them to ascend such a high obstruction. To have 

 enabled salmon to pass would have presented a simpler problem. The 

 work has been satisfactorily completed according to our plans, but we 



