NOAA’s approach to river restoration

Fish passage is important to the protection and restoration of fish and 

their habitats. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) works with conservation organizations, energy companies, states, 

tribes and citizens to evaluate barriers — big and small — to improve fish 

passage. Most barriers have the same general impact on fish — blocking 

migrations — but each requires a specific set of conservation actions. 

Through programs such as the Open Rivers Initiative, the NOAA Restoration Center 

has been able to open rivers and streams for fish and hundreds of other species 

by completely removing fish passage barriers. At the same time, the NOAA 

Fisheries Hydropower Program provides solutions for fish passage around 

hydroelectric dams — some of the largest dams in the United States. 

Together, NOAA programs have opened thousands of river miles 

with benefits to riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Barrier

Fish enter the ladder through an 

opening just below the low water 

level at the base of the barrier.

After making t

way through t

ladder, fish re-

the river upstre

of the barrier.

Ladders allow fish to swim up smaller 

inclines rather than trying to pass the 

barrier in one high jump.

The ladder is 

designed to mim

the natural feel 

swimming upst

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 1 
Incredible Journeys

Salmon and other migrating fish, such as shad, alewives and sturgeon, need access to freshwater habitat fo

spawning and rearing young. In some cases, these fish need to swim thousands of miles through the ocea

and rivers to reach their destination. Unfortunately, they are often blocked from completing their journey 

by more than two million man-made barriers that exist in many rivers and streams across the country.

Migrating fish can travel 

hundreds of miles upstream to 

reach their spawning grounds.

Alewife

(30 Miles)

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

(100 Miles)

Atlantic Salmon

(350+ Miles)

American Shad

(375 Miles)

Sockeye Salmon

(900 Miles)

American Eel

(1000+ Miles)

Gulf Sturgeon

(120 Miles)

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 2 
Incredible Journeys

Salmon and other migrating fish, such as shad, alewives and sturgeon, need access to freshwater habitat fo

spawning and rearing young. In some cases, these fish need to swim thousands of miles through the ocea

and rivers to reach their destination. Unfortunately, they are often blocked from completing their journey 

by more than two million man-made barriers that exist in many rivers and streams across the country.

Migrating fish can travel 

hundreds of miles upstream to 

reach their spawning grounds.

Alewife

(30 Miles)

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

(100 Miles)

Atlantic Salmon

(350+ Miles)

American Shad

(375 Miles)

Sockeye Salmon

(900 Miles)

American Eel

(1000+ Miles)

Gulf Sturgeon

(120 Miles)

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 2 
Incredible Journeys

Salmon and other migrating fish, such as shad, alewives and sturgeon, need access to freshwater habitat fo

spawning and rearing young. In some cases, these fish need to swim thousands of miles through the ocea

and rivers to reach their destination. Unfortunately, they are often blocked from completing their journey 

by more than two million man-made barriers that exist in many rivers and streams across the country.

Migrating fish can travel 

hundreds of miles upstream to 

reach their spawning grounds.

Alewife

(30 Miles)

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

(100 Miles)

Atlantic Salmon

(350+ Miles)

American Shad

(375 Miles)

Sockeye Salmon

(900 Miles)

American Eel

(1000+ Miles)

Gulf Sturgeon

(120 Miles)

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 2 
NOAA’s approach to river restoration

Fish passage is important to the protection and restoration of fish and 

their habitats. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) works with conservation organizations, energy companies, states, 

tribes and citizens to evaluate barriers — big and small — to improve fish 

passage. Most barriers have the same general impact on fish — blocking 

migrations — but each requires a specific set of conservation actions. 

Through programs such as the Open Rivers Initiative, the NOAA Restoration Center 

has been able to open rivers and streams for fish and hundreds of other species 

by completely removing fish passage barriers. At the same time, the NOAA 

Fisheries Hydropower Program provides solutions for fish passage around 

hydroelectric dams — some of the largest dams in the United States. 

Together, NOAA programs have opened thousands of river miles 

with benefits to riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Barrier

Fish enter the ladder through an 

opening just below the low water 

level at the base of the barrier.

After making t

way through th

ladder, fish re-e

the river upstre

of the barrier.

Ladders allow fish to swim up smaller 

inclines rather than trying to pass the 

barrier in one high jump.

The ladder is 

designed to mim

the natural feel 

swimming upstr

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 1 
NOAA’s approach to river restoration

Fish passage is important to the protection and restoration of fish and 

their habitats. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) works with conservation organizations, energy companies, states, 

tribes and citizens to evaluate barriers — big and small — to improve fish 

passage. Most barriers have the same general impact on fish — blocking 

migrations — but each requires a specific set of conservation actions. 

Through programs such as the Open Rivers Initiative, the NOAA Restoration Center 

has been able to open rivers and streams for fish and hundreds of other species 

by completely removing fish passage barriers. At the same time, the NOAA 

Fisheries Hydropower Program provides solutions for fish passage around 

hydroelectric dams — some of the largest dams in the United States. 

Together, NOAA programs have opened thousands of river miles 

with benefits to riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Barrier

Fish enter the ladder through an 

opening just below the low water 

level at the base of the barrier.

After making t

way through th

ladder, fish re-e

the river upstre

of the barrier.

Ladders allow fish to swim up smaller 

inclines rather than trying to pass the 

barrier in one high jump.

The ladder is 

designed to mim

the natural feel 

swimming upstr

Fish_Passage_08-04-08.indd 1