Advancing Salmon Recovery Through Proven Fish Passage Solutions
Efforts to restore salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest are gaining renewed attention as fish passage solutions continue to deliver real results. One approach drawing increasing interest is the trap and haul system successfully implemented on the Baker River. This method, which safely collects and transports fish around dams by truck, has demonstrated that even heavily managed river systems can support thriving fish populations. Today, that success is helping inform discussions around improving fish passage on the Skagit River.
At the center of this progress is the critical work completed at Baker Lake, where Pacific Netting Products played an essential role in supporting the infrastructure that makes trap and haul systems effective. By enabling reliable fish collection, projects like this create the foundation for broader fish restoration strategies.
Collaborative Efforts to Restore Sockeye Salmon in the Skagit River Basin
In Concrete, Washington, Pacific Netting Products partnered with Puget Sound Energy to help restore one of the region’s most valued natural resources. The focus was on rebuilding sockeye salmon runs in the Skagit River basin, which had declined to alarming levels. For example, in 1985, only 99 adult sockeye returned to the river, signaling a crisis that required immediate action.
In response, Puget Sound Eneregy committed to a long term recovery plan centered on habitat improvement and effective fish passage. As part of that effort, Pacific Netting Products was brought in to design a system that could guide young salmon safely downstream to a floating collection facility, where they could then be transported past the dams. Learn more about our Baker Lake case study here.
Designing a Full-Scale Fish Guidance Net
The Baker Lake project required close collaboration between engineers, biologists, and regulatory agencies to ensure environmental responsibility. Pacific Netting Products designed and deployed a full depth fish exclusion and guidance net tailored to the unique conditions of Upper Baker Lake.
The system spans 2,000 feet in length and reaches depths of 300 feet, covering nearly 500,000 square feet. Constructed from ultra strong Dyneema fiber, the net is built to withstand fluctuating water levels of up to 70 feet. The netting also allows flow velocities ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 feet per second. This durability ensures consistent performance throughout the year, even in highly variable conditions.
Applying Proven Fish Passage Solutions to Broader River Restoration Efforts
The effectiveness of the Baker River system is now influencing how agencies think about restoring fish passage on the Skagit River. With proven infrastructure in place, the region has a working example of how engineering solutions can align with ecological goals.
This project highlights the importance of forward thinking design and long term commitment in tackling complex environmental challenges. Pacific Netting Products actively supports fish collection and transport systems that align with existing hydropower operations.
As interest grows in expanding trap and haul strategies across the Skagit basin, the success at Baker lake stands as a powerful example of what is possible when expertise and environmental stewardship come together with a shared purpose.
