Members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 5 fish passage engineering team will present a history of river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus & Alosa aestivalis) passage systems in the northeast. An evolution of design ideas will be explored and the recent practice in the northeast for river herring passage will be described. Case studies of unique designs will be presented including examples of successes and failures. We will conclude with the current goals and objectives of the USFWS for the passage of river herring.