Hoh Basin Fish Passage Enhancement (Blocking Culvert Removals)

Four locations where fish blocking culverts were removed in the Hoh basin are: 1.) Schmidt Bar forest road, 2.) forest road near Oil City Rd. and Hwy 101 (called Oil City Junction), 3.) Nolan Springs and 4.) Rayonier Bar (37X road). All four of these project sites are located on property owned by Hoh River Trust, a conservancy group that manages their riparian forestland to establish old growth characteristics and to provide habitat for listed species and unlisted native salmonid populations. All culverts had drops at the lower end were velocity barriers. All were identified as fish passage barriers by the Hoh Tribe and the landowner, Hoh River Trust. Culverts were permanently removed allowing all season fish passage for all species, allow passage at the 100-year flood stage and result in improved sediment transport. Disturbed areas in the immediate vicinity where fish passages were removed were revegetated to prevent unwanted sediment inputs into the aquatic environment. This project was implemented significantly below cost resulting from using an experienced local contractor who was extremely efficient at completing the work and weather/site conditions that were optimum.

These are all straightforward fish passage culvert removals. In each case the culvert will be completely removed. LWD will be added to the open channel at all locations. Approaches will be revegetated and the old culverts disposed of. All fish species will be able to utilize the full extent of the available habitat upstream of these blockages and full transport downstream will be possible for sediment, high flows and debris.