Like’s Creek Fish Passage Project (II)

This project addressed five fish passage barriers to fully restore anadromous fish access to Like’s Creek, a major tributary to Goldsborough Creek west of Shelton, WA. Fish access was previously blocked by two separate full-barrier culverts within the lower section of the creek. The first culvert, under the Simpson railroad, was within approximately 200 feet of the confluence of Like’s Creek and Goldsborough Creek. The second blocking culvert was approximately 150 feet upstream, under Carman Road North, a County road. Three additional partial barriers occurred in the upper section of the creek, beginning approximately 900 feet upstream of the second culvert. The South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) partnered with Mason County to have each of the two lower barriers replaced with 12-foot wide stream simulation design culverts and added large wood to improve habitat complexity between the two new culverts. SPSSEG, Green Diamond Resource Company and Mason Conservation District partnered to have all three of the upper, partial barriers completely removed. This project opened spawning and rearing habitat within Like’s Creek that has not been accessible to any migratory or anadromous fish for several decades. The estimated upstream fish habitat made available by the project is approximately 1 mile. Like’s Creek currently supports Coho salmon and Cutthroat Trout. Steelhead trout and Chum may also benefit in the future.
The scope of this project was initially limited to addressing only the lower two fish passage barriers on the stream. It was funded with $232,942 in SRFB funds and $41,107 in reported match, which represented only a portion of total project cost. SPSSEG sought additional funding (not reported as match) to make up the total project cost. When they were not successful in their attempts, they applied for additional SRFB funds through Project 14-1410, which added $84,900 in SRFB funds and $15,000 in match to the project. Then, prior to construction, the Simpson railroad was closed indefinitely and the regular transport of material on the railway that had been a planning obstacle became a non-issue. This, along with a lower than anticipated construction bid, left a budget surplus. With careful negotiation and planning, the three remaining barriers upstream were added to the project scope. Like’s Creek is now completely free of fish passage barriers. This project is a key addition to salmonid habitat within the Goldsborough Creek watershed following the completion of the nearby Midway Creek Fish Passage Project in 2012 (10-1776) and a series of other fish passage projects completed by multiple local partners in this watershed.

The purpose of the project was to re-connect full anadromous access within Likes Creek. Benefits of the project include increased spawning and rearing access for multiple salmonid species, improved sediment and wood mobility, and improved connectivity of aquatic habitat.