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Canal Fish Screen Project

River Gains

  • Fish screens protect and restore fish populations by preventing them from becoming trapped in canals, ensuring safe passage, reducing fish mortality, and improving ecosystem health by maintaining natural migration patterns and supporting balanced aquatic habitats

Partners

  • Project Big Wood

  • Trout Unlimited - Hemingway Chapter

  • Local Water Masters

  • IDFG

Cost

$250,000

Funding

Thanks to an anonymous donor, this project is partially funded. We rely on private donations or grants to fund all initiatives at Project Big Wood. 

Join the cause. Be the effect.

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Canal Fish Screen Project

 

The Big Wood River is a vital waterway, home to multiple native species—red band trout, whitefish, and the endemic Big Wood River sculpin. However, thousands of fish are inadvertently trapped in irrigation canals and ditches every year, unable to return to the river—their natural habitat. This loss negatively affects fish populations and disrupts the delicate balance of the river's ecosystem.

 

The Fish Screen Project is a bold initiative spearheaded by Project Big Wood and Trout Unlimited Hemingway to address this challenge. By installing specialized fish screens at key canal entrances, we aim to protect fish populations, enhance biodiversity, and improve water flow management, ensuring the river's long-term health.

 

Phase One: Feasibility Study and Fish Movement Assessment

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To lay the groundwork for this project, we are conducting a comprehensive feasibility study as the first phase of implementation. This phase will include:

  • Canal Inventory: Identifying and mapping all canal and ditch systems along the Big Wood River, prioritizing locations where fish screens are most urgently needed.

  • Fish Movement Study: Assessing fish populations and their movements, including manual fish counts, to understand the extent of the issue.

  • Screen Design Evaluation: Research effective fish screen designs, such as Farmers' and Hendricks' screens, to determine the best solutions for different canal sites.

  • Cost and Priority Analysis: Developing cost estimates and ranking canal diversion points by ecological importance, with a focus on high-priority sites like Diversion 45, where approximately 20,000 fish are rescued annually.

 

Why It Matters

 

Fish screens provide a proven solution to reduce fish mortality, protect natural migration patterns, and restore connectivity between the Big Wood River and its tributaries. This project will:

  • Support Ecosystem Health: Protect native fish populations and improve aquatic habitats.

  • Enhance Water Management: Improve irrigation efficiency through better infrastructure.

  • Promote Sustainability: Lay the foundation for balanced river use, supporting both environmental needs and local water rights.

 

By starting with this feasibility phase, Project Big Wood is creating a roadmap to ensure each step of the project is carefully planned, effective, and sustainable. 

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