Cooper Mill Creek Coho Salmon Fish Passage Design Project

Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments

Project ID	1551969314261
Recovery Domains	N Central California Coast
Start Date	04/30/2019
End Date	04/07/2022
Year	2017
Status	Completed
Last Edited	01/25/2024

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Description

The project developed 100% designs for two fish barrier locations on Cooper Mill Creek that will lead to improved fish passage for all salmonid life stages.

Project Benefit

Designs that will later lead to the removal or modification of two fish barriers that are located on Cooper Mill Creek. Future improved fish passage for all salmonid life stages to 3.0 miles of anadromous stream and opportunities to provide winter and summer (cold water) refugia. Future improved access for natal and non-natal salmon species to high priority refugia habitat during extreme water velocity and temperature events in the lower Yager Creek basin.

Source

Funds

PCSRF

$98,102

In-Kind Other

$94,063

Report Total:

$192,165

Worksites

1551969314431

Worksite Identifier: 1551969314431
Start Date:
End Date:

Area Description
Cooper Mill Creek

Location Information

Basin: Northern California Coastal (180101)
Subbasin: Lower Eel (18010105)
Watershed: Yager Creek (1801010508)
Subwatershed: South Fork Yager Creek-Yager Creek (180101050803)

State: California
Recovery Domain: N Central California Coast
Latitude: 40.559234
Longitude: -124.057867

ESU

California Coastal Chinook Salmon ESU
Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Salmon ESU
Northern California Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

B.0 Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)

. . B.0.a Planning And Assessment Funding 192,165.00
. . B.0.b.1 Area Encompassed 2.8

. . B.1 Restoration Planning And CoordinationY (Y/N)

. . . . B.1.a Planning and Coordination funding 192,165.00

. . . . B.1.b.11 Engineering/design work for restoration projectsY (Y/N)

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.a
Name of plan implemented

Recovery Plan for Southern Oregon Northern California Coast Coho Salmon (NOAA Final Sept. 2014)

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.b

Description and scope of the plan implemented

The project developed designs that will lead to the removal or modification of two fish barriers located on Cooper Mill Creek. This will lead to improved fish passage for all salmonid life stages. Cooper Mill is an anadromous fish bearing tributary of Yager Creek, a major tributary to the Van Duzen River. Cooper Mill contains 3.0mi of anadromous stream and opportunities to provide winter and summer (cold water) refugia. This project improved access for natal and non-natal salmon species to high priority refugia habitat during extreme water velocity and temperature events in the lower Yager Creek basin. The designs focus on improving fish migration for all life cycles of Coho Salmon and steelhead trout during all seasons. The project area extends from the first barrier, located at the confluence of Cooper Mill Creek and Yager Creek, upstream approximately 0.5 miles to the second barrier, a remnant channel spanning concrete weir associated with an abandoned fish hatchery. The design process included a thorough site assessment of existing conditions, an analysis of design alternatives, and will conclude with final designs for up to two future restoration projects. The project developed 100% designs that are focused on enhancing instream habitat and improving fish migration for all life cycles of Coho and other salmonids. The design process has included an analysis of alternatives that address: 1) a California Conservation Corps constructed boulder step weir located at the confluence with Yager Creek (PAD #715463); 2) a concrete weir upstream (PAD #722973; 3) historic channelization and poor instream habitat complexity; and 4) appropriate locations, wood sizes, and configurations of instream habitat structures between the two barrier locations.