Big Creek Ford Bridge

In September and October, 2011, the bridge was constructed, and the ford was decommissioned. The bridge spans 84 feet and includes approximately 600 feet (.11 miles) of road construction to connect the bridge to existing roads. The new road is gated in a way that it will provide non-motorized public use to Forest Service Trail No. 004, as well as providing private landowner’s motorized use of the bridge with Special Use Permits. The ford decommission improves habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout as well as other native fish species that have been adversely impacted by years of vehicular fording.

Two existing access roads to the ford crossing area were re-habilitated as part of the bridge project. The existing ford access roads were re-contoured and re-vegetated to match the surrounding natural slope. Clump plantings were placed in the re-habilitated area to provide a natural native plant species seed bank which will aid in re-vegetation. Slash in the form of trees, brush and boulders were placed for soil stabilization and sediment reduction.

The Payette National Forest (project partner) also made improvements to the parking area, footpaths and bridge access road. The parking area was widened and new parking barriers were placed, a new foot path and access gate to the bridge was installed. The existing access road on the east bank was converted to a foot path providing access to the stream. To further promote establishment of new vegetation the Nez Perce Tribe watershed and fencing crews planted a total of 74 native 1 and 2 gallon plants. Native plants were planted along the foot path, along slopes of the new bridge access road and around the new bridge abutments. Plants were placed to optimize soil stabilization and native plant species survivorship at the new bridge site. Native species planted at the site included, Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) and three different species of Willow (Salix sp).

Willow plugs were taken from the newly constructed road to the bridge site and were used on the obliterated road to the ford site resulting in an unrecognizable road to the old ford.

In the fall of 2012, Nez Perce Tribe developed in cooperation with the Payette National Forest signs to inform the public of why and how the bridge project took place. This was the final step is completing this bridge project.

Big Creek, a major tributary of the Middle Fork Salmon River, is designated Critical Habitat for Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon. Approximately 35% of spawning in the mainstem of Big Creek (~40 miles) occurs between Logan Creek and Jacobs Ladder Creek (~5 miles). The Big Creek ford has been identified by NOAA and the Payette National Forest as having known adverse effects to ESA - listed salmonids. Construction of a bridge downstream of the existing ford will protect and restore salmon habitat by protecting salmon spawning areas, reducing sediment and allowing access by landowners and recreational users.