The location, timing, and effect of barriers to anadromous salmonid migration on the Smith River have not been inventoried. Access for migrating fish at present may be similar to historic conditions. On the lower river, water depth seems sufficient for migration even during low flows. Fish access in some areas of the river network may have changed due to aggradation or degradation. Channels of the lower river are possibly more aggraded than in the past as is suggested by the reported reduction in depth of pools on the lower river. Aggradation tends to increase predation on all life stages. In bedrock controlled streams, fish access has probably not changed much. However, if distribution of large woody debris has changed in these channels, that could change channel morphology and access somewhat. On Monkey Creek, a tributary of the Middle Fork, access has improved due to removal of a small dam.

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