Salmon Creek Restoration

Challenge

Salmon across the region deal with multiple impacts, one of which is barriers to migration. Every time a road crosses Salmon Creek there’s a culvert underneath which unlike a natural stream, doesn’t provide the best conditions for fish. They limit how much of the stream is usable to salmon for things like spawning and feeding because of things like fast flowing water and blockages. These impacts are one of the many things that threaten the survival of local salmon populations.

Solution

In 2007, 2009, and 2015 we replaced several culverts along Salmon Creek, but there were still many more. This time we’re going big and looking at all the remaining culverts between East Valley Highway and Main Street/60^th Street to help Salmon Creek live up to its name. 6 Culverts are scheduled for either removal or replacement, and at the end of them a large 4+ acre stream restoration is planned to improve conditions.

Beneficiaries

Everyone! Salmon Creek supports Chinook, Pink, Coho, Chum, Steelhead, and Bull Trout. Projects like this help to preserve these species for future generations. The replacement of culverts is also expected to benefit people who live along Salmon Creek because bigger culverts are less likely to back up water, meaning reduced flooding.