A. Streams And Rivers (flowing water): The screen face shall be parallel to the flow and adjacent bankline (water's edge), with the screen face at or streamward of a line defined by the annual low-flow water's edge.

The upstream and downstream transitions to the screen structure shall be designed and constructed to match the back-line, minimizing eddies upstream of, in front of and downstream of, the screen.

Where feasible, this “on-stream” fish screen structure placement is preferred by the California Department of Fish and Game.

B. In Canals (flowing water): The screen structure shall be located as close to the river source as practical, in an effort to minimize the approach channel length and the fish return bypass length. This “in canal” fish screen location shall only be used where an “on-stream” screen design is not feasible. This situation is most common at existing diversion dams with headgate structures.

The National Marine Fisheries Service -- Southwest Region “Fish Screening Criteria for Anadromous Salmonids, January 1997” for these types of installations shall be used.

C. Small Pumped Diversions: Small pumped diversions (less than 40 cubic-feet per second) which are screened using “manufactured, self-contained” screens shall conform to the National Marine Fisheries Service -- Southwest Region “Fish Screening Criteria for Anadromous Salmonids, January 1997”.

D. Non-Flowing Waters (tidal areas, lakes and reservoirs): The preferred location for the diversion intake structure shall be offshore, in deep water, to minimize fish contact with the diversion. Other configurations will be considered as exceptions to the screening criteria as described in Section 5.F. below.

A. Flow Uniformity: The design of the screen shall distribute the approach velocity uniformly across the face of the screen. Provisions shall be made in the design of the screen to allow for adjustment of flow patterns. The intent is to ensure uniform flow distribution through the entire face of the screen as it is constructed and operated.

B. Self-Cleaning Screens: The design approach velocity shall not exceed:

C. Screens Which Are Not Self-Cleaning: The screens shall be designed with an approach velocity one-fourth that outlined in Section B. above. The screen shall be cleaned before the approach velocity exceeds the criteria described in Section B.

D. Frequency Of Cleaning: Fish screens shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to prevent flow impedance and violation of the approach velocity criteria. A cleaning cycle once every 5 minutes is deemed to meet this standard.

E. Screen Area Calculation: The required wetted screen area (square feet), excluding the area affected by structural components, is calculated by dividing the maximum diverted flow (cubic-feet per second) by the allowable approach velocity (feet per second). Example:,

A. In Streams And Rivers: The sweeping velocity should be at least two times the allowable approach velocity.

B. In Canals: The sweeping velocity shall exceed the allowable approach velocity. Experience has shown that sweeping velocities of 2.0 feet per second (or greater) are preferable.

C. Design Considerations: Screen faces shall be designed flush with any adjacent screen bay piers or walls, to allow an unimpeded flow of water parallel to the screen face.

A. Porosity: The screen surface shall have a minimum open area of 27 percent. We recommend the maximum possible open area consistent with the availability of appropriate material, and structural design considerations.

The use of open areas less than 40 percent shall include consideration of increasing the screen surface area, to reduce slot velocities, assisting in both fish protection and screen cleaning.

B. Round Openings: Round openings in the screening shall not exceed 3.96mm (5/32in). In waters where steelhead rainbow trout fry are present, this dimension shall not exceed 2.38mm (3/32in).

C. Square Openings: Square openings in screening shall not exceed 3.96mm (5/32in) measured diagonally. In waters where steelhead rainbow trout fry are present, this dimension shall not exceed 2.38mm (3/32in) measured diagonally.

D. Slotted Openings: Slotted openings shall not exceed 2.38mm (3/32in) in width. In waters where steelhead rainbow trout fry are present, this dimension shall not exceed 1.75mm (0.0689in).

A. Material Selection: Screens may be constructed of any rigid material, perforated, woven, or slotted that provides water passage while physically excluding fish. The largest possible screen open area which is consistent with other project requirements should be used. Reducing the screen slot velocity is desirable both to protect fish and to ease cleaning requirements. Care should be taken to avoid the use of materials with sharp edges or projections which could harm fish.

B. Corrosion And Fouling Protection: Stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant material is the screen material recommended to reduce clogging due to corrosion. The use of both active and passive corrosion protection systems should be considered.

Consideration should be given to anti-fouling material choices, to reduce biological fouling problems. Care should be taken not to use materials deemed deleterious to fish and other wildlife.

C. Project Review And Approval: Plans and design calculations, which show that all the applicable screening criteria have been met, shall be provided to the Department before written approval can be granted by the appropriate Regional Manager.

The approval shall be documented in writing to the project sponsor, with copies to both the Deputy Director, Habitat Conservation Division and the Deputy Director, Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Division. Such approval may include a requirement for post-construction evaluation, monitoring and reporting.

D. Assurances: All fish screens constructed after the effective date of these criteria shall be designed and constructed to satisfy the current criteria. Owners of existing screens, approved by the Department prior to the effective date of these criteria, shall not be required to upgrade their facilities to satisfy the current criteria unless:

E. Supplemental Criteria: Supplemental criteria may be issued by the Department for a project, to accommodate new fish screening technology or to address species-specific or site-specific circumstances.

F. Variances: Written variances to these criteria may be granted with the approval of the appropriate Regional Manager and concurrence from both the Deputy Director, Habitat Conservation Division and the Deputy Director, Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Division. At a minimum, the rationale for the variance must be described and justified in the request.

Evaluation and monitoring may be required as a condition of any variance, to ensure that the requested variance does not result in a reduced level of protection for the aquatic resources.

It is the responsibility of the project sponsor to obtain the appropriate fish screen criteria as provided herein. Project sponsors should contact the Department of Fish and Game, the National Marine Fisheries Service (for projects in marine and anadromous waters) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for projects in anadromous and fresh waters) for guidance.

Copies of the criteria are available from the Department of Fish and Game through the appropriate Regional office, which should be the first point of contact for any fish screening project.

Northern California and North Coast Region; 601 Locust Street, Redding, CA 96001 -- (530) 225-2300.

Sacramento Valley and Central Sierra Region; 1701 Nimbus Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 -- (916) 358-2900.

Central Coast Region; 7329 Silverado Trail/P.O. Box 46, Yountville, CA 94599 -- (707) 944-5500.

San Joaquin Valley-Southern Sierra Region; 1234 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 -- (209) 243-4005.

South Coast Region; 4649 View Crest Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123 -- (619) 467-4201.

Eastern Sierra and Inland Deserts Region; 4775 Bird Farms Road, Chino Hills, CA 91709 -- (909) 597-9823. Marine Region; 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, #100, Monterey, CA 93940 -- (831) 649-2870. Technical assistance can be obtained directly from the Habitat Conservation Division; 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 -- (916) 653-1070.

The National Marine Fisheries Service -- Southwest Region “Fish Screening Criteria for Anadromous Salmonids, January 1997” are also available from their Southwest Region; 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 -- (707) 575-6050.