Hospital Creek Passage Design - Hoopa Reservation

Objective: Increase access to the habitat upstream of the highway 96 stream crossing.



Project Description: The culvert under the highway 96 bridge is a complete barrier to adult and juvenile salmonids at most flows because of the perched condition of the culvert. This project will include the surveys necessary to create an existing terrain and the creation of a 100% design to make this passable. In most years the 120 meters of stream between the highway and the mainstem have between 15 and 30 spawning pairs of salmon but there is little quality rearing habitat in the accessible section. Upstream of the culvert there is high quality rearing and spawning habitat available.

This Project benefits SONC Coho Salmon and Chinook salmon a species needed for Tribal treaty fishing rights. SONCC in the lower Trinity River are identified in the Recovery Plan as being at high risk of extinction. Restoration of tributary habitat for both natal and non-natal SONCC is therefore of great importance. This project improves stream function and increases the amount of high-quality habitat available for juvenile salmonids.