At low flow periods, some salmon were able to get through the rapids to their spawning grounds. For most fish however the obstruction at Hell’s Gate remained a blockage point for upstream fish migration for years to come, reducing the salmon escapements to the Fraser River system from millions to just thousands. No major efforts were made to overcome the obstruction to passage of fish in the Fraser River at Hell’s Gate until 1926. In December 1926, the Federal and Provincial Governments established an Engineers Enquiry into the Fraser River Conditions, specific to Hell’s Gate and Bridge River Canyon. With respect to the Fraser River at Hell’s Gate, the purpose of the enquiry was to investigate the blockage and report on what works should be undertaken, in order that the passage of salmon might be made easier in this section of the river.
Five engineers from the Federal and Provincial governments were appointed to the Enquiry Board with J. McHughs, Fisheries Engineer, Department of Marine and Fisheries as Chairman. The other Board members, all engineers, were C.E. Webb, P.E. Doncaster, Major R.M. Taylor and H.W. Hunt. The Board of Enquiry after thorough investigation and surveys submitted their report on July 27, 1928. The report was very detailed as to how, where and when the remedial work should be carried out. Recommendations for Hell’s Gate included excavation from the left (east) river bank and some underwater dyking in order to reduce the turbulence thought to be part of the obstruction problem. The opinion was that fishways, bypasses or similar artificial aids would have limited value in such a river. The Board suggested a by-pass around the Hell’s Gate Rapids should be considered. However no remedial work was carried out at Hell’s Gate as a result of the enquiry.