DESCRIPTION
The Barker Creek estuary culvert replacement project restored natural estuarine function and sediment transport, and ensures unobstructed fish passage at the mouth of the creek. Barker Creek is located on the Kitsap Peninsula and is a significant source of freshwater input to Dyes Inlet. Barker and its main tributary, Hoot Creek have spawning coho, chum, cutthroat and steelhead. The Barker Creek estuary is bisected by Tracyton Blvd. at the project location. The old 100 ft. long, 5 ft. diameter, concrete culvert confined the conveyance of stream flow and tidal inundation into the upper estuary since 1939. In 2002, this project received $417,000 (SRFB) to replace the culvert - Project #02-1556. However, the project was not completed due to shortage of funds. In 2007, this project received another increment of $437,326 (SRFB) to fully fund the culvert replacement - Project #07-1880. *The full project installed a large, more natural opening under the road, allowing the saltwater to migrate into the upper estuary unimpeded, providing proper mixing of freshwater and saltwater and ensuring unobstructed fish passage. The fisheries enhancement group contributed $62,500 from a federal grant.
The Mid Puget Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group used this grant to replace a culvert on Barker Creek. Chinook, coho, chum, cutthroat and steelhead use Barker Creek and its main tributary, Hoot Creek. A culvert at Tracyton Boulevard constricted the creek and tidal inundation of the upper estuary. During high tide, the creek would back up at the culvert and flood the upper estuary with freshwater. Because water flowed at such high speeds through the culvert, fish were prevented from migrating through the area at low and high tides. The full project installed a large, more natural opening under the road, allowing the saltwater to migrate into the upper estuary unimpeded, providing proper mixing of freshwater and saltwater and ensuring unobstructed fish passage. The fisheries enhancement group contributed $62,500 from a federal grant.
