The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a groundbreaking 1.6-mile "fish highway" designed to prevent thousands of endangered salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon from becoming stranded during flood events in the Sacramento River system.
The $350 million double-channel fishway connects the Sacramento River to Tule Canal, accommodating fish up to 10 feet long through two parallel passages. Unlike traditional fish ladders, this system handles the unique challenge of serving both downstream-migrating juvenile salmon and upstream-spawning adult sturgeon during peak flood season from December to March.
The innovative design addresses critical survival needs for species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Expected to be fully operational by winter 2026, the project represents a major advancement in balancing flood protection with wildlife conservation.