Schoolhouse Creek Culvert Replacements

Pierce County used the funding to improve fish passage at Schoolhouse Creek on Anderson Island at the intersection of Oro Bay Road and Eckenstam-Johnson Road. The project replaced the existing 18 double barrel roadway culverts with fish passable countersunk 4x12 concrete box culverts at two road crossings to benefit salmonids. Schoolhouse Creek is the only known anadromous salmonid stream on Anderson Island and historically supported populations of coho, chum and cutthroat.

Moderate to high creek flows routinely overtoped Oro Bay Road and Eckenstam-Johnson Road due to undersize culverts and flat terrain. At moderate to high flows, fish passage was compromised due to the high velocities in the culverts. In addition, overtopping of the road and the associated erosion led to substantial damage to the roadway and downstream habitat. The project was identified in the Pierce County Key Peninsula-Islands Basin Plan, and complements the Anderson Island residents work to restore the Schoolhouse Creek watershed.

Fish passaage issues have been resolved by the succesfull installation of 4X12 concrete box culverts at Schoolhouse Creek on Anderson Island at the intersection of Oro Bay Road and Eckenstam-Johnson Road.