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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 6Pt. 1Ch. 3Art. 3§ 5992 Fish Screen Requirements

§ 5992 Fish Screen Requirements

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5992 Fish Screen Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •If you have a pipe or channel that takes water, you must put a screen to stop fish from getting in.
  • •The screen can't block too much water or stop you from taking the water you're allowed to take.
  • •You and the water department must agree on the screen type, size, and where to put it. If you can't agree, the Department of Water Resources will decide.
  • •Both you and the department will share the cost of maintaining the screen. You'll each pay half.

Example

A farmer has a pipe that takes water from a river to water crops. The pipe doesn't have a screen, and fish are getting stuck in it.

The farmer must work with the water department to put up a screen that stops fish but still lets enough water through for the crops. If they can't agree on the screen, the Department of Water Resources will decide. The farmer and the department will then share the cost of keeping the screen clean and fixed.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5992 Fish Screen Requirements

Any screen installed under any of the provisions of this article shall be reasonably adequate to prevent fish from passing into the conduit and not unnecessarily impede the flow of water or prevent the owner from diverting the amount of water he is legally entitled to divert. The type, size, mesh, and location of the screen and the time within which it shall be installed shall be mutually agreed upon by the department and the owner of the conduit. In the event the department and the owner of the conduit cannot agree upon the type, size, mesh, and location of the screen and the time within which it shall be installed, such matters shall be submitted for determination to the Department of Water Resources whose decision thereon shall be final and conclusive. If the owner and the department fail to agree upon the type, size, mesh, location, and time of installation of the screen within 60 days from the first submission of proposed plans and specifications by the department to the owner, either the department or the owner may submit such matters, in writing to the Department of Water Resources for final and conclusive decision, and it shall, within 60 days from such reference, render its decision in writing determining such matters. The department shall maintain and keep the screen in repair, and shall quarterly notify the owner in writing of the cost thereof, and the owner shall within 30 days thereafter remit to the department an amount equal to one-half of such cost. The owner shall operate and keep free from debris any screen installed, and shall quarterly notify the department in writing of the cost thereof, and the department shall within 30 days thereafter remit to the owner an amount equal to one-half of such cost. (Enacted by Stats. 1957, Ch. 456.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

screenconduitDepartment of Water

Related Statutes

  • § 5983 Screen Installation Cost Sharing
  • § 5990 Conduit Screen Installation Requirements
  • § 5981 Fish Conduit Screening Costs
  • § 5982 Screen Installation Requirements
  • § 5986 Conduit Owner Payments

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 5992.
View Official Source