Question: What did the fish say when he hit his head?
Okay, so this joke is very juvenile...but it ties together a few of the many challenges that face fisheries biologists who work with Reclamation. After building hundreds of dams, canals and other structures throughout the American west, we are now increasing our efforts to manage, rehabilitate and adapt these facilities to protect the wildlife and fish species that rely on the waterways for habitat. Along western rivers, balancing the needs of agricultural, municipal, recreational and hydropower users with the dwindling populations of indigenous fish species and their native plant habitats is an ongoing challenge. Reclamation is leading the way in developing river operations and management strategies to meet the demands of all. Developing fish passageways and ladders around our dams, designing wetlands along rivers and streams, and restoring nearly-extinct native fish species in rivers and reservoirs...these are just a few of the innovative projects and opportunities for Reclamation fisheries biologists.