The temporary picket weir will be installed when flows allow (less than 2500 cfs, generally mid-July to early August) and operated at least through the end of September and potentially through the end of October with an approved TRMP.  The trap will not be operated at warmer than 22.5 C (at the Malott gauge).  Once temperature drops and trapping begins, the weir will be operated 24/7 until after the thermal barrier breaks down and the abundance of Chinook passing the weir decreases (generally early September).   Subsequently, the weir may be operated on a reduced schedule (e.g., 5 days per week).  Trapping consists of hourly checks for presence/absence of adult fish.  If adult fish are present, staff will net and remove all non-target species (Sockeye and Steelhead) for release upstream of the weir.  Hatchery Chinook are netted and transferred to totes for subsistence and ceremonial purposes until our pHOS biological target is met.  Natural origin Chinook are netted and transferred to an adult holding tank for hatchery broodstock.  Once the weekly broodstock goal is met, all natural origin Chinook are released upstream.

The trap and weir is comprised of an in-stream picket guidance and live capture system that is in place during the August - October period. The weir will guide fish along the picket frame into a 20'x10' trap and provide a live capture facility for summer/fall Chinook to collect natural origin brood and reduce pHOS. The structure will also include an adult fish video monitoring system and PIT tag interrogation.  The adult weir spans the Okanogan River and is approximately 360 feet long. It is located at RM 14.7 near the town of Malott.