The recipient will study, design and construct install fish screens at unscreened diversion points along the klamath river

This Cooperative Agreement award of $6,750,000.00 from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program (CFDA 15.580) will enable the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to study, design, and construct fish screens at unscreened diversion points along the Klamath River in Oregon.

The project aims to install fish screens to prevent juvenile and adult fish, including endangered salmon and suckers, from entering the canals and enable anadromous fish to occupy historic Klamath River habitats following the removal of the Lower Four Dams by fall 2024. ODFW will finalize designs and complete environmental compliance for 5 fish screens currently in the planning phase, construct and install the fish screens, monitor their effectiveness, finalize negotiations and designs for the next set of high priority fish screens, and evaluate fish protection devices for the larger diversions with complex screening issues. The award has a performance period from January 17, 2025 to December 31, 2029.

The removal of the lower four dams (completion by fall 2024) will enable anadromous fish to occupy historic klamath river habitats, which has numerous unscreened klamath project diversions. Oregon department of fish and wildlife (odfw) and reclamation have convened a multi-agency and stakeholder working group to assess biological investigations and evaluations to prioritize and select the best screening alternatives for each site. The screens will prevent juvenile and adult fish from entering the canals and will be designed to protect ESA-listed salmon and suckers. Odfw will finalize designs and complete environmental compliance for 5 fish screens currently in the planning phase, construct install the fish screens and monitor their effectiveness, finalize negotiations and designs for the next set of high priority fish screens, and evaluate fish protection devices for the larger diversions with complex screening issues.