This is the Russian River Falls fish pass which was constructed in 1978. The purpose of the fish pass is to permit sockeye salmon to negotiate the Falls during periods of high water. Therefore, the fish pass is used very infrequently, but its use during critically high flows has been instrumental in maintaining the Russian River sockeye salmon runs at high levels of abundance. The weir is similar to a picket fence placed across the river. The weir is staffed continuously and sockeye salmon are passed through the structure on the west bank.
Every fish is counted to ensure that spawning escapement goals are reached.
The goal for the early run is 16,000 and for the late run, 30,000. The early run goal has been consistently achieved and the resource is at high levels of abundance. The late run goal has also been achieved annually, but has exhibited annual fluctuations in abundance. Restrictions to the late run fishery in 1996 and 1997 were required to achieve the goal. If restrictions to the fishery are required they are announced via notice on radio, TV and in newspapers.