Protection Measures Selection Tool

Fish and other aquatic species will be excluded from occupying the area to be dewatered by blocking the stream channel above and below with fine-meshed block nets or screens, based on the site 75 conditions, while cofferdams and other diversion structures are being installed. Block net mesh will be sized to ensure that aquatic species upstream or downstream do not enter the areas proposed for dewatering. Mesh will be no greater than 1/8-inch diameter. The bottom of the net must be completely secured to the channel bed. Block nets or screens must be checked at least twice daily at the beginning and end of the workday and cleaned of debris to permit free flow of water. Block nets or screens will be placed and maintained throughout the dewatering period at the upper and lower extent of the areas where aquatic species will be removed. Net placement is temporary and will be removed once dewatering has been accomplished, or construction work is complete for the day.

Pump intakes will be covered with mesh, in accordance with the requirements of current NMFS fish screening criteria, to prevent potential entrainment of fish or other aquatic species that could not be removed from the area to be dewatered. The pump intake will be checked periodically for impingement of fish or other aquatic species. All work will comply with the CDFW Fish Screening Criteria (CDFW 2001) or NMFS Fish Screening Criteria for Anadromous Salmonids (NOAA 2022).