244 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Salmon in the Willamette and Clachamas rivers . — It is reported by fislieriiien and 
sportsmen that only the early run of eldnook salmon goes up the Willamette Eiver, 
as it is only in spring that there is sufficient current in that stream to attract fish 
ascending the Columbia ; later, the water becomes sluggish, and the summer run of 
salmon passes by the mouth of the river. 
In 1894, owing to an unusually large volume of water, many salmon are said 
to have gone over the falls of the Willamette at Oregon City, but it seems clear that 
in ordinary seasons, when there is no special increase in the amount of water at the 
falls, great difficulty must be exiierieuced by the migrating fish in surmounting them. 
The construction of one or several fish ladders at the falls is urgently needed, and is 
now more important than at any previous time. 
It is gratifying to be able to record the fact that at the last session of the Oregon 
legislature provision was made for the construction of a fishway at the Willamette 
Falls. The plans for the location, building, and maintenance of the ladder are thus 
described in the Oregonian for August 10, 1894: 
Governor Peunoyer, State Treasurer Metschan, and Secretary of State McBride, constituting tbe 
State board which was authorized by the last legislature to locate a lishway over the Willamette Falls, 
will take the lirst step in that direction to-day. The governor, treasurer, and secretary, with State Fish 
Commissioner McGuire, Hon. George T. Myers, and several other gentlemen, will meet in Oregon City 
to-day, and proceed to the falls and select a location for the fishway. 
For the construction of this fishway the legislature appropriated the sum of $10,000, but it will 
cost mui h less. By the provisions of the law the fishway shall be constructed in the bed of the river 
on the west side of the main fall, by making excavations in the solid rock when the water is low, so 
that the slope will be more gradual, and when the water is higher the excavations will form a series 
of connecting pools, all constructed and arranged in such manner that salmon can freely ascend from 
below to above the falls by passing from pool to pool. 
In order to bave the fishway built in the manner provided, the board is empowered to remove all 
obstructions, whether natural or artificial, to its construction, or to the passage of fish over the falls. 
Obstructions to the passage of fish include fish-wheels, nets, lines, and other devices for catching fish 
stationed within 50 feet of the fishway. The maintenance of such obstructions is a misdemeanor, and 
is i^unishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both. 
The board is authorized to make all necessary arrangements for the construction of the fishway, 
such as employing a superintendent and workmen, purchasing tools and supplies, and advertising for 
bids. All bidders must agree to keep the fishway in good order for two years after its conpiletion. 
Tlie existence of a dam in tlie Clackamas Eiver is generally recognized as one of 
tbe greatest evils now affecting tbe tisberies of tbe Columbia Eiver basin. Not only 
is this obstruction annually destroying millions of imdeposited ova and practically 
inbibiting natural reproduction in tbe headwaters of tbe river, but it is seriously 
impairing tbe operations of tbe batching station of tbe U. S. Fish Commission located 
on that stream. Tbe enactment of a law is earnestly desired requiring tbe owners of 
dams in all salmon streams to put in and maintain suitable fishways, which should 
be subject to tbe approval and regulation of tbe State fish commissioners. In tbe case 
of streams like tbe Clackamas, on which Government or State hatcheries are located, 
it would seem that tbe great interests at stake would warrant tbe absolute prohibition 
of dams or other obstructions, and, possibly, tbe proscription of all tisbing. 
According to Mr. Seaburg, of Ilwaco, Wash., one of tbe most extensive salmon- 
packers in the United States, in April and May, 1893, about 140 tons of cbinook 
salmon were taken below tbe dam in tbe Clackamas Eiver by means of gill nets and 
seines. Tlie principal part of this relatively large -catch was taken at tbe dam, where 
tbe tisb congregated in their attempts to surmount that obstruction. In 1894 over 100 
tons were taken in the same locality. 
