DESCRIPTION
This project removes a fish passage barrier (1404W15A) and opens 11.7 miles of habitat including the mainstem and several tributaries. This section of the stream has abundant rearing habitat. Up and downstream migration is important for juveniles to find food and escape predators. During high flows this pipe has high water velocities which could delay upstream adult migration. High quality spawning grounds are located several miles upstream of this site. This is the highest ranking private culvert barrier in Lewis County. There are no fish blockages downstream of the project. The majority of the upstream barriers in this basin were located on forestland. They have been replaced or removed in accordance with RMAP regulations. The few remaining barriers are owned by Lewis County. Culvert 021(24034)(08899) is blocking .9 mile of an unnamed tributary to Bunker Creek. The only remaining barriers on the mainstem are 1404W19C, and 1404W19D, located 5.6 miles upstream. These culverts are undersized and are often completely blocked by beaver activity. Upstream of this site, the remaining barrier 1405W24A has been fixed and is now passable. A total of 16 miles of potential fish habitat exists above the barrier that we will be replacing. The watershed above this pipe is approximately 7,000 acres.
This restoration project sponsored by Lewis County Conservation District removed a fish passage barrier culvert and replaced with a bridge to open passage to 11.7 miles of habitat in the Bunker Creek watershed including the mainstem and several tributaries. The project was located in Lewis County on Bunker Creek, which is a tributary to the Chehalis River. This section of the stream has abundant rearing habitat. Up and downstream migration is important for juveniles to find food and escape predators. During high flows this pipe had high water velocities which delayed upstream adult migration. High quality spawning grounds are located several miles upstream of this site. This was the highest ranking private culvert barrier in Lewis County. There are no fish blockages downstream of the project. The majority of the upstream barriers in this basin were located on forestland and have been replaced or removed in accordance with RMAP regulations. A total of 16 miles of potential fish habitat exists above the barrier that was replaced with a railcar bridge, including mainstem Bunker Creek and its tributaries. The watershed above this pipe is approximately 7,000 acres. This project benefits coho and cutthroat trout.
NOTES
This project was applied for SRFB funding in 2012 under the ID #12-1156 and did not receive funding.
