In February 2023, Pacific Tugboats completed a project in Redding aimed at improving the survival chances of young salmon and trout in the upper Sacramento River. The project involved the placement of "rockwads," made of almond trees bolted to large boulders, on the river bottom to provide shelter for young fry. The rockwads were found to be effective, and Pacific Tugboat Service returned to support further efforts. The work was coordinated by the Sacramento Valley Ecological Restoration Foundation (SAVER), and funding was received from the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Pacific Tugboat Service crew set 20 rockwads under the direction of a local biologist, facing challenges from high winds, rain, sleet, and snow. The project is expected to ultimately mean more salmon fry will grow to a healthier, robust size, and there are hopes for expansion of the project to other portions of the river.