DESCRIPTION
The Fulton Canal is located on the lower Chewuch River near Winthrop in Okanogan County. A number of design problems with the former screen caused significant problems for fish. Average approach velocities were too high and screen orientation inhibited fish from rapidly accessing the bypass system to return to the river. The woven wire mesh screen cloth was too large to prevent emergent steelhead, bull trout, and small chinook salmon fry from entrainment. The worst feature of this site was the bypass system that returns fish back to the river. The entrance was undersized and the return to the river runs fish over a bedrock ledge at high velocity. WDFW's Yakima Screen Shop replaced this facility to meet current federal and state fish protection standards.
The Fulton Canal is located in the lower Chewuch River near Winthrop. Rearing juvenile rainbow and bull trout, spring chinook salmon and steelhead are known to be abundant in this particular diversion. The existing fish screen is under capacity and exceeds WDFW/NMFS approach velocity criteria and mesh size. This screen, like most old drum screens, is oriented 90 degrees to the canal flow which inhibits fish from rapidly accessing the fish bypass system to return to the river. The entrance downwell is undersized and the return to the river runs fish over a bedrock ledge at high velocity.
YSS proposes to replace the screen prior to the 2000 irrigation season beginning May 1. The current screen, which is too large (1/8" mesh) to prevent emergent fry entrainment, will be replaced with a perforated plate with 3/32" diameter holes. The selected preliminary design utilizes 2 drums with electric-drive drum screens in an angled orientation that will guide fish quickly to a new, "fish friendly" bypass system. This new fish screen/fish bypass system will comply with current screening criteria, prevent 'take' of endangered species, and provide nearly complete protection for all salmonid species and life stages. This project is considered a high priority by federal, state, and county agencies responsible for species recovery.
