DESCRIPTION
This
project will implement final designs (15-1324) for fish passage improvements in
a 5,000 foot long reach of the concrete-lined Mill Creek flood control channel.
The implementation-project reach connects with a passage project completed in
2011 (Mill Creek Flume Transitions, 09-1587).
Flood control measures on Mill Creek include a
concrete channel that extends over two miles through Walla Walla. The Mill
Creek Barrier Assessment (06-2203) completed in 2009 identified and described
barriers for ESA listed steelhead and bull trout, and for reintroduced spring
chinook. Returning adults encounter flow dependent depth and velocity barriers,
and a lack of resting opportunities. Juvenile fish encounter low spring flows,
and high water temperatures in late spring. Often by mid-May adults and
juveniles become trapped in the flood control channel where they experience
lethal temperatures. Many of these passage issues are considered as imminent
threats in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan. Mill Creek, upstream of the
flood control project, is a critical and under-utilized area for spawning and
rearing of ESA listed species, and provides for an important recovery
opportunity for those listed fish, as well as good habitat for other native
fish and reintroduction efforts for spring chinook.
Tri-State Steelheaders will improve fish passage in a 5,000 foot long reach of the 2-mile long concrete-lined Mill Creek flood control channel in Walla Walla, WA. Final designs are being developed in RCO project #15-1324. The project reach connects with a passage project completed in 2011 (Mill Creek Flume Transitions, RCO project #09-1587). The Mill Creek Barrier Assessment (RCO project #06-2203) completed in 2009 identified and described barriers for ESA listed steelhead and Bull Trout, and for reintroduced spring Chinook. Returning adults encounter flow dependent depth and velocity barriers, and a lack of resting opportunities. Juvenile fish encounter low spring flows, and high water temperatures in late spring. Adults and juveniles often become trapped in the flood control channel by mid-May, where they experience lethal temperatures. Many of these passage issues are considered imminent threats in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan. Mill Creek, upstream of the flood control project, is a critical and under-utilized area for spawning and rearing of ESA listed species, and provides an important recovery opportunity for those listed fish, as well as good habitat for other native fish and reintroduction efforts for spring Chinook.