Blog: How fish ladders help native fish get around dams
… The steep grades of diversion dams and other human-built structures can block fish from traveling upstream. Fishways provide a ramp bypass fish can navigate to restore their range. These fish-friendly structures are especially important in times of drought – as Colorado has experienced this year – because water levels decline, and fish are more likely to become isolated in smaller pools, which could threaten their survival if the pools continue to shrink or if the water warms to dangerous levels. … Most fishways are designed for game fish, like trout and salmon, but [Researcher Chris] Myrick and his students design ladders for little fish in Colorado. Small fish are an important part of the food web; they eat insects and feed waterfowl and game fish. They’re also an indicator of water quality; if small fish are thriving, their environment is healthy.
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