DESCRIPTION
This
design project will focus on two adjacent fish passage barriers on Horn Creek,
a tributary in the lower Nisqually watershed. Located close to the main stem of
the Nisqually River, a manmade waterfall and a concrete dam with a bridge deck,
work in conjunction to prevent fish passage upstream. Both have been assessed
by SPSSEG, WDFW and PCD to act as partial height and velocity barriers to
upstream-bound salmonids.
This
project will build on the results of a pilot habitat assessment, beginning in
spring 2016. Funding for the initial study was provided by the Nisqually Indian
Tribe. Located in well intact riparian forest, these barriers affect steelhead,
coho and chum salmon during annual migrations and may affect Chinook and Pink
salmon at times these species are in the system. The bridge design is intended
to replace the existing structure, which consists of two partially blocked
concrete chambers and a significant (.65 meter) hydraulic drop. The landowner
is unwilling to eradicate the waterfall completely. Design efforts for the
waterfall will focus on improving an intended fishway along the left bank of
the waterfall, or other options.
Project
deliverables will include Conceptual Designs for both the waterfall and dam, maps,
results of landowner feasibility assessment, and final report.
This design project will focus on two adjacent fish passage barriers on Horn Creek, a tributary in the lower Nisqually watershed. Located close to the main stem of the Nisqually River, a manmade waterfall and a concrete dam with a bridge deck, work in conjunction to prevent fish passage upstream. Both have been assessed by SPSSEG, WDFW and PCD to act as partial height and velocity barriers to upstream-bound salmonids. This project will build on the results of a pilot habitat assessment, beginning in spring 2016. Funding for the initial study was provided by the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Located in well intact riparian forest, these barriers affect steelhead, coho and chum salmon during annual migrations and may affect Chinook and Pink salmon at times these species are in the system. The bridge design is intended to replace the existing structure, which consists of two partially blocked concrete chambers and a significant (.65 meter) hydraulic drop. The landowner is unwilling to eradicate the waterfall completely. Design efforts for the waterfall will focus on improving an intended fishway along the left bank of the waterfall, or other options. Project deliverables will include Conceptual Designs for both the waterfall and dam, maps, results of landowner feasibility assessment, and final report.