Project Description

Introduction – North Fork Catherine Creek is spawning and rearing habitat for   spring/summer chinook, summer steehead, and bull trout.  Redband trout also exist within the above streams.  There are approximately 2 miles of rearing and migration spring/summer chinook habitat, 6 miles of spawning and rearing summer steelhead habitat, and 9 miles of spawning and rearing bull trout habitat upstream of the North Fork Catherine Creek Ford.  

Existing condition – The North Fork Catherine Creek Ford is currently a partial fish passage barrier during low flows for all of the above fish species.  The ford is a concrete structure, causing a shallow channel with increased velocity.  Erosion has occurred just downstream of the ford, which has increased jump height and increased the risk of failure.  

Project Objectives:  

•   Improve passage for spring/summer chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and bull trout.
•   Improve natural flow pattern:  Natural stream flow patterns will be improved due to ford removal and bridge construction.

Specific Actions – Ford Removal and Bridge Construction: This project would remove the ford and replace it with a full channel spanning bridge.  This action was selected based on the provision for appropriate fish passage at all life stages, improved natural flow patterns, and reduced risk of ford failure.  Specific actions include (Refer to the attached design and cost estimate):  

(1)   Remove ford.
(2)   Construct full channel spanning bridge.
(3)   Rehabilitate the site.