Gosnell Creek Culvert & Riparian Restora

South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG) used this funding to remove a fish passage barrier on Gosnell Creek (WRIA 14.0031), a 5 km tributary within a unique salmon watershed. Coho, chum, rainbow, and cutthroat migrate up Mill Creek, through Lake Isabella, and into the spring fed waters of Gosnell Creek.

The project site was located on the main-stem of a diverse salmon species watershed. Approximately 1.5 km upstream of Gosnell Creek were two side-by-side culverts that were measured to be fish passage barriers using WDFW criteria. SPSSEG replaced the barrier culverts with a Big R Bridge that provides passage to all salmonid life stages and allows for natural streambed migration. To reduce maintenance costs, the bridge was covered with Wasser Paint Technologies. The project partners included the Mason Conservation District, Squaxin Island Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local landowners.

Gosnell Creek flows from the Mud Lakes east across the Isabella Valley into Lake Isabella. Lake Isabella is approximately 200-acres including wetlands at the outlet of Gosnell Creek and wetlands at the headwaters of Mill Creek. From Lake Isabella, Mill Creek flows for approximately14 km into Hammersley Inlet. Land-use along Gosnell Creek is primarily residential, agricultural, and commercial timberlands.

The goal of the project is to connect isolated habitat to increase the range and distribution of salmon.

The objective of the project is to increase access to areas blocked by human-caused impediments.