The project provides immediate and long-term protection for anadromous and resident fish species in the Hood River, Deschutes, Grande Ronde, Imnaha, John Day, Umatilla, and Walla Walla, Willamette River, North Coast (lower Columbia tributaries), and other Columbia River subbasins by ensuring proper operation and maintenance of protection and passage devices on diversions and dam structures. Thousands of water diversions exist in the Columbia Basin in waters home to anadromous fish, including many listed on the Endangered Species Act.

ODFW works with water users to install fish screens to prevent fish injury and mortality associated with the diversion of water. Fish screens operate in challenging environments that include extreme cold temperatures to extreme heat. Fish screens are also exposed to floating debris ranging from sediment to large trees that damage screens resulting in fish loss. Proper fish screen maintenance is required for fish screens to continue to protect fish from injury and mortality associated with water diversions.

BPA funds are critical to ODFWs’ fish screen program. The program also uses cost share from PCSRF, ODFW License Surcharge, ODFW General Fund, and BPA for implementation. These BPA funds are used for non-recurring maintenance of existing fish screens to keep them operational and in service to protect ESA listed and resident fish. These funds will also be used to purchase fish screening materials and supplies, office and shop repairs and upgrades, and shop and field equipment (e.g. shop machines, trailers, dump trucks, etc.}.