THIRTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 69 



to be regretted that the interests using the water and making screens 

 necessary should not be more actively disposed to assist in bettering a 

 problem they themselves create. 



FISHWAYS 



The law states that fish ladders shall be constructed when, in the 

 judgment of the Commission, one is required or, in lieu thereof, a hatch- 

 ery may be constructed or fry planted. The practical working out of 

 these provisions is that many of the owners of the high dams escape 

 their obligations to the State and do nothing for fish life or its perpetu- 

 ation, except as the reservoir formed may be of aid. 



This is brought about due to the fact that fish ladders, as far as 

 present information goes, may be installed on dams only up to about 

 sixty feet in height. Hence dams beyond these heights are not provided 

 with fish ladders and hatchery construction must be resorted to or fry 

 planted as covered by the law. There is a limit to hatchery construc- 

 tion, because after the owner of the dam constructs the hatchery it is 

 turned over to the state and the Commission must pay for its operation 

 and maintenance. 



The burden of operation and maintenance of numerous hatcheries by 

 the Commission is too great, and the other alternative of planting pur- 

 chased fry has not yet been practical. The state's progress is depend- 

 ent on its efficient use of its waters, but with the proper foresight this 

 use of the water need not necessarily tend to decrease the commercial 

 and game fish life in the state. The problem presented has many 

 phases and should be given careful consideration in order that a plan 

 of action may be mapped out and appropriate remedial legislation 

 passed. 



Comments and criticisms are heard that fish ladders are failures, that 

 no fish have been seen going over, that no water was running through 

 the ladder, that fish were seen at base of dam and none in the ladder, 

 and like statements. When any comment or complaint comes to the 

 bureau 's attention the matter is investigated to see if remedial action is 

 required. The interest of the public in this matter is welcomed as it 

 aids the bureau in its check-up. 



Fishways are for the purpose of aiding migrating fish on their jour- 

 ney to spawning areas to pass obstructions, such as dams, in the streams. 

 Fishways or ladders generally consist of pools, one pool slightly higher 

 than the preceding one, rising from near the downstream base of the 

 dam to the crest, the water flowing through the pools in an even amount. 

 Unless water is to be passed by a dam to maintain fish life below, it is 

 not always necessary to have a fish ladder in continual operation. It is 

 essential, however, that a ladder shall be in operation at the times of 

 fish migrations. Some streams are dry in the summer months, yet in 

 the fall, winter and spring these streams do much to promote fish life 

 as fish have ascended, spawned, hatched and the fry returned before the 

 stream becomes dry. The dams on such streams require fish ladders as 

 well as on the streams that flow continually. 



The periodic inspection of fishways by deputies results in as near 

 to proper functioning of the fishways as conditions will permit. 



Surveys made prior to the formation of this bureau are being checked 

 and, when found that the plans still apply, steps are instituted to have 



