Dewatering of Vernita Bar prior to the beginning of hatching (December) should not adversely affect developing chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). In December and early January, when newly hatched chinook salmon are in the redds, bank-stored water will mitigate the potential effects of short term (<8 hr) dewatering. Changes in weather conditions at Vernita Bar are not expected to adversely affect chinook salmon survival in dewatered redds.