The Rotary Screw Traps Are Out Of The North Yuba

The Yuba Salmon Study is a collaborative planning and implementation effort led by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). The vision of this program is to reintroduce spring-run Chinook salmon to their historical habitat in the upper Yuba River watershed through a phased, science-based, and cost-effective reintroduction project that will inform future Central Valley reintroduction decisions. In support of this effort, two rotary screw traps (RSTs) were installed on the North Yuba River. A Rotary Screw Trap — or RST — is a specialized fish trap that uses a spinning cone and live box to collect salmonids as they migrate downstream. 

The rotary screw traps that had been placed at Rocky Rest Campground and Old Toll Bridge Road by the Yuba Salmon Study collaborative are now out of the river. 

The Yuba Salmon Study is currently analyzing the data gathered on how the traps performed at the range of flows and debris load we saw from October 2023 to May 2024. Once that is done, they are planning two more public meetings in either late July or early August where they will share what was learned from the rotary screw trap trials. They will also discuss the next steps in the study, how and when Chinook salmon will be reintroduced, and answer questions from the community. 

All photos courtesy of FISHBIO