Deer Creek Culvert Replacement Completion

The Idaho County Soil and Water Conservation District coordinated with the Idaho County Deer Creek Road District to replace two fish passage barrier culverts in Deer Creek, which is a tributary to the lower Salmon River. After these culvert replacements all fish spawning and rearing habitat in Clear Creek is accessible to ESA-listed threatened steelhead, which are part of the Little Salmon River Population of the Salmon River Major Population Group of the Snake River steelhead Distinct Population Segment. The project addressed undersized culverts that were fish barriers and reduces sediment delivery to Deer Creek.

Deer Creek culvert 1 was installed at 45.684, -116.339, addressing 0.01 miles of stream and 0.06 acres. Deer Creek culvert 4 was installed at 45.684, -116.370, addressing 0.1 miles of stream and 0.06 acres. Together these two culverts complete the replacement of 5 fish barriers on Deer Creek allowing access to 7 miles of stream. Both culverts included a pre-engineered, pre-fabricated foundation capable of supporting the structure and the H20 load and shall have cross sectional dimension of 18 tall by 30 wide.

A third culvert had been planned for replacement with PCSRF funds, however, the installation and work at Deer Creek culvert 2, resulted in Deer Creek 3 (above culvert 2 on the stream) acquiring enough silts and rock below the outlet that it is no longer a “shotgun” culvert. It was deemed fish passable by the on-site engineer and a fish biologist due to the changes that occurred during installation of culvert 2. For these reasons, culvert 3 was not replaced.

Upon completion of this project ~ 7.0 miles of spawning and rearing stream will be available to ESA-listed threatened steelhead, of the Little Salmon River steelhead Population of the Salmon Major Population Group of the Snake River steelhead Distinct Population Segment.