'732 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



scale the obstruction fall far short of the ends of the gates. The barrier has 

 been watched many times when fish were jumping and when the largest drift 

 ran clear, and none has ever been seen to pass it. 



By means of the dam boards entire control of the current can be had 

 during ordinary stages of water and any desired quantity sent to any section of 

 the barrier. Thus a strong current can be maintained through the trap section, 

 leading the fish to it, and when it is desired to remove the fish from the trap 

 the water can practically all be turned to some other section of the barrier. 



One of the greatest difficulties in maintaining traps in the streams in this 

 section is due to the tremendous quantities of gravel carried in the water during 

 freshets, a sufficient amount being frequently deposited in front of a trap at 

 such times to change the course of the stream. With the present form of barrier 

 no trouble is experienced from this source, the insertion of the dam boards and 

 the opening of one space at a time quickly clearing away the accumulated gravel. 



The ninth and tenth piers were continued upstream by driving three addi- 

 tional piles above each. The piers form the sides of the trap. Its floor is a 

 plank bottom, similar in construction to the apron, and the front is barred by 

 i^-inch pickets placed i|^ inches apart, the fish entering by the usual upstream 

 V of pickets. To protect the trap from high water the two piers between 

 which it is located were carried to a height of 8 feet. When it is desired 

 to fish the trap, the gate at its head is closed and entrance is made from below 

 by means of a door in the north side of the V. 



The upper end of the fish way of the old dam was left in place, the narrow 

 passage between it and the new trap protecting the spaces at the south end of 

 the barrier from the current and from drift. These spaces have been racked 

 above and below to form commodious pens for males and unripe females. The 

 south end of the barrier is protected by a substantial abutment. 



The maintenance of racks in Phinney Creek has been a very heavy item of 

 expense in past years, and the trap was frequently carried away by freshets just 

 at the height of the season, allowing large numbers of fish to escape and 

 considerably reducing the season's take of eggs. It is believed the new barrier 

 will stand any possible test that may be put upon it and will fish successfully 

 in almost any stage of water. The design is to be credited to Mr. A. H. 

 Dinsmore, superintendent of the station. 



TAKING AND HATCHING THE EGGS. 



Seining operations and spawntaking at California stations. — At the Baird 

 station all the salmon are caught by seine with the exception of a very few taken 

 in the trap in the upper rack. Owing to the swift current and the formation 

 of the river banks the seine is always landed at one place, the rope attached to 



