fish ladder

American  

noun

1. a series of ascending pools constructed to enable salmon or other fish to swim upstream around or over a dam.

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fish ladder British  

noun

1. a row of ascending pools or weirs connected by short falls to allow fish to pass barrages or dams

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Etymology

Origin of fish ladder

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fish ladder

The body of a man who reportedly slipped and fell into the Stillaguamish River at the Granite Falls fish ladder last month was recovered on Saturday, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

To the south, near Commodore Park, between June and October, the underwater fish ladder lets guests peer through panels of glass to watch migrating salmon pass through.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 28, 2024

Often adult Chinook salmon looking to spawn will cycle through the fish ladder multiple times or wait upstream for weeks, losing energy and risking attacks from predators, she said.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 18, 2024

If your idea of fish passage is the Ballard Locks fish ladder, think again.

From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2023

A third option is the fish ladder at Bonneville Dam, where lampreys sometimes can be spotted suckered onto the glass, making their way slowly up the fish ladder in spring and summer.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2022