DESCRIPTION
The primary objective of the Lower Reach Berwick Creek Barrier Removal is to provide a design
that once constructed would remove two existing fish passage barriers and replace them with
fish passable structures. The goal of this action is to immediately restore salmon access to 1.36
linear miles of potential habitat (6.12 linear miles of potential habitat once upstream barriers
are corrected).
One of the barriers proposed for removal, Culvert 021(40046)(00032) is ranked 125th for
replacement in the basin. While Culvert 601456 was not assessed in the 2000 culvert
assessment, it is believed it would fall between 125th and 156th for replacement in the Chehalis
Basin. Fishman Environmental Services, LLC. surveyed 5,993 meters of Berwick Creek upstream
of RM 3.85 in 2001 and documented approximately 26,641 square meters (6.58 acres) of rearing
habitat and 8,389 square meters (2.07 acres) of spawning habitat. Species observed included
the Southwest Washington evolutionary significant unit (ESU) of coho salmon and the
Southwest Washington distinct population segment (DPS) of winter steelhead, as well as searun
cutthroat and resident cutthroat trout. While no priority index has been generated for these
barriers, Culvert 021(40046)(00103); an upstream barrier which Lewis County is currently
seeking funding to replace, was assigned a PI of 16.22.
The primary objective of the Lower Reach Berwick Creek Barrier Removal is to provide a design that once constructed would remove two existing fish passage barriers and replace them with fish passable structures. The goal of this action is to immediately restore salmon access to 1.60 linear miles of potential habitat once the two downstream barriers are removed (9.77 linear miles of potential habitat for coho and 8.07 linear miles of potential habitat for winter steelhead once upstream barriers are corrected). One of the barriers proposed for removal, Culvert 021(40046)(00032) is ranked 125th for replacement in the basin. While Culvert 601456 was not assessed in the 2000 culvert assessment, it is believed it would fall between 125th and 156th for replacement in the Chehalis Basin. Fishman Environmental Services, LLC. surveyed 5,993 meters of Berwick Creek upstream of RM 3.85 in 2001 and documented approximately 26,641 square meters (6.58 acres) of rearing habitat and 8,389 square meters (2.07 acres) of spawning habitat. Species observed included the Southwest Washington evolutionary significant unit (ESU) of coho salmon and the Southwest Washington distinct population segment (DPS) of winter steelhead, as well as searun cutthroat and resident cutthroat trout. While no priority index has been generated for these barriers, Culvert 021(40046)(00103); an upstream barrier which Lewis County is currently seeking funding to replace, was assigned a PI of 16.22. Downstream barriers were recently identified by the WDFW in 2017. These barriers, Site 601812, owned by Lewis County, and Site 125 1302W05A, owned by the City of Chehalis, are being submitted to the SRFB for design funds in the 2020 grant round.
PHOTOS
Berwick Barrier 601456.jpg