Rich Grost
Aquatic Scientist
North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project
After four years of design, four years of constant construction, and two additional years of major
upgrades, the new fish passage facilities at Soda Springs Dam are now in routine operation. The
facilities were carefully designed and built to meet agency criteria for providing safe upstream and
downstream passage of all native anadromous fish – salmon, steelhead, sea-run trout, and lamprey – and
within the significant constraints imposed by the narrow canyon, steep and unstable slopes, reservoir
fluctuations, and a temperamental river. The facility includes a fish ladder to allow adult fish to migrate
upstream over the dam, and a screen to protect juvenile and adult fish migrating downstream to the
ocean from going through the powerhouse…