Upgrading Water Infrastructure to Improve Fish Passage and Habitat in the Yolo Bypass

Levees and dams within California’s Central Valley have diminished crucial fish habitat, causing a decrease in native salmonid populations. The Big Notch Project reconnected the floodplain habitat and improved the fish passage by cutting “notch” into the Fremont Weir and install a new gated headworks structure. The headworks structure increased inundation that provides rearing habitat for juvenile salmonid. The project also involved constructing a new pedestrian bridge to maintain existing public access to the wildlife area for recreational and educational tours. The project team continues to work with private landowners to obtain flowage easements.