Habitat restoration, Resilience and risk mitigation

The Numana Dam Fish Passage Project will remove an in-stream migration barrier and allow two federally listed and culturally important fish species to have access to an additional 65 miles of their historic habitat in the Truckee River and augment decades of recovery efforts made possible by a longstanding partnership between the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation and others. The momentum of this partnership paved the way for securing nearly $8.3 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.

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funding in 2022 to install this fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

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infrastructure at Numana Dam.   

Numana Dam is an irrigation diversion structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

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within the boundary of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s Reservation on the Truckee River and provides irrigation water to Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal farmers and ranchers. This structure has been in place since 1917 and in its present form has been a significant passage barrier for the endangered Cui-ui sucker (Chasmistes cujus), and most recently for the reestablished migration and natural reproduction of the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi). Both species are culturally very important to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.   

This project contributes substantially towards recovery of these species. Recovering the iconic population of Lahontan cutthroat trout at Pyramid Lake also provides a unique recreational angling experience that is recognized locally, nationally and internationally as a world class fishery. The restoration of this population provides economic benefit to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and local communities. 

Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and other partners pose for the Numana Dam groundbreaking. Credit: J. Heil/USFWS

Quick Facts:

Project Status

In Construction

Location 

NV, Washoe

NFPP Project Funding

$8,292,215

Restoration Techniques

Dam Modification

Accomplishments

65 Stream Miles Reopened

Project Partner Lead

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Primary Species Benefited

Cui-ui

The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success. 

Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people. 

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.) 

CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED. 

News

Construction equipment working on the side of a flowing river
Dec. 28, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act, one of the most important wildlife conservation laws in the United States. The National Fish Passage Program directly supports the recovery of species listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by removing...

Programs

A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Improving fish passage is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for communities and...
Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.

Species