Challenges and Results of Downstream Juvenile Salmonid Passage at Lower Baker Dam Using a Floating Surface Collector

Lower Baker Dam is a 285-ft high dam with a reservoir that annually experiences fluctuation in water surface elevation up to 75 feet.  In 2012, construction was completed of a floating surface collector (FSC) to capture downstream migrants for transport below the dam. Operation of the facility commenced in spring 2013 and a tagging and recapture program was implemented to evaluate the success at attracting juveniles in the reservoir. In the first year of operation, recapture of tagged and released coho salmon was 92.1%. The facility has many unique features, including the ability to rapidly switch between operational flow rates in the FSC.  Downstream transport is accomplished by a complex trap and haul system utilizing with multiple transfer stages including boats to ferry transport tanks to the shore and a jib crane to lift the transport tanks onto haul trucks. This report discusses the history and operation of fish passage on the Baker River, design and construction challenges for implementation of a FSC in the reservoir, success of the fish collection systems, and lessons learned after the first two years of operation.