Screw trap installed at Rocky Rest Campground. Photo by Carol and David MarshallRotary Screw Traps have been installed by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) and FISHBIO as part of a pilot project aiming to determine the effectiveness of a trucking program in returning spring-run chinook salmon to the North Yuba. The Mountain Messenger first introduced the project in a SYRCL press release titled “Rotary Screw Traps Are Coming to the North Yuba!” in the August 10th edition. A meeting held by SYRCL, FISHBIO, Fish and Wildlife, and others on August 23rd in Downieville helped quell many local concerns about safety and potential impacts on recreation at the popular locations. That meeting was covered in the August 24th edition of this paper in an article titled “Mixed Reactions to Rotating Screw Traps.”

The traps have been placed in two locations: upstream of Goodyears Bar and at the Rocky Rest Campground. They will be in the river until May of 2024, after which they will be removed. Although these traps are part of a one-year pilot, they would be in the river from October to May yearly should the trap and haul program be implemented.