DESCRIPTION
This project will restore fish passage to the upper 2.26 miles of an unnamed tributary on the South Fork of Goldsborough Creek. The existing culvert below Panhandle Lake (Mason County, WRIA 14) will be replaced with a new stream simulation design stream crossing. The existing 2ft culvert is a complete barrier due to 2.6% slope, a 1ft outfall drop and a bottom that has rusted out leaving a hole at the outlet that fish would fall through. Primary species benefiting from this project include Coho salmon, Cutthroat Trout, and potentially Steelhead Trout
The barrier culvert located downstream of Panhandle Lake on an unnamed tributary to the South Fork of Goldsborough Creek was replaced with a steel bridge in September, 2017. The 40 foot long, 14 foot wide bridge restores fish passage to the upper 2.26 miles of creek while maintaining access to the Panhandle 4-H property. Besides the standard guard rail the bridge was also outfitted with a 54" high wooden rail to accommodate safe crossing by horses.
There was a cost increase beyond the original proposal due to a request by DNR to increase the size of the original proposed culvert or to change to a bridge crossing. After exploring the cost of the larger culvert against that of the bridge, it was decided to go with the bridge which was estimated to cost $11,000 less than the larger culvert due to increased excavation and streambed backfill that would be required for the larger culvert. The Bridge was estimated to cost $16,507 above the original proposed culvert.
