DESCRIPTION
This project will fund the construction of a new stream crossing to address the current fish passage barrier created by the existing culverts where Coleman Creek crosses under the Vantage Highway. Addressing this passage barrier will address the most downstream fish passage barrier on Coleman Creek and provide access to 0.35 linear miles of habitat for spring Chinook, coho , and summer steelhead. Providing passage at this location immediately opens up rearing habitat for these species and advances passage into two of the Major Spawning Areas that are part of the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan's spatial structure goals. Access to these valuable spawning and rearing habitats is a key step towards recovery and delisting for the entire Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment.
Fish passage was restored within Coleman Creek at the Vantage Highway crossing by replacing the existing fish passage barrier; addressing the most downstream fish passage barrier on Coleman Creek and providing access to 0.35 linear miles of habitat for spring Chinook, coho , and summer steelhead. The current conditions create a 33 percent passable barrier due to a water surface elevation drop at the outlets. Under the original configuration, a 48-inch wide concrete box culvert and a 6-foot by 3.8-foot corrugated metal pipe (CMP), were oriented in parallel through the road prism. These structures were replaced with a 27-ft long bridge. A Large Woody Material (LWM) structure was incorporated to improve instream habitat conditions while also providing necessary bank protection. Providing passage at this location immediately opens up rearing habitat for these species and advances passage into two of the Major Spawning Areas that are part of the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan's spatial structure goals. Access to these valuable spawning and rearing habitats is a key step towards recovery and delisting for the entire Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment.
