Clearwater Basin Barrier Assessments

Trout Unlimited will assess potential aquatic organism passage barriers in the Clearwater and Middle Fork Clearwater Subbasins. These assessments will set the stage for large-scale barrier removal efforts. Barriers have been identified as one of the leading factors impacting Snake River Basin steelhead populations in the Clearwater Basin. In the Clearwater and Middle Fork Clearwater Subbasins, it is estimated that there are over 5,291 unassessed road-related potential barriers that may decrease habitat connectivity and impede access to high-quality cold-water habitats for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species.



The Clearwater Basin Barrier Assessments project will assess road-stream crossings for juvenile fish passage and prioritize all identified barriers for removal. Project actions include: 1) conducting assessments, 2) maintaining a database with barrier assessment information, 3) prioritizing barriers for removal, and 4) distributing assessment information to partners in the basin and to a publicly accessible database.

This project will provide important information on aquatic barriers in the Clearwater and Middle Fork Clearwater Subbasins. The data gleaned by conducting subbasin-wide barrier assessments will further TU’s and our partners’ understanding of the number of barriers, their locations, and how they are impacting local fish populations. This will allow TU and its partners to focus efforts by identifying projects with the highest value to fish populations and where funds will have their greatest impact. When accomplished, these barrier removals will increase stream connectivity and access to additional rearing and spawning habitat for ESA-listed steelhead and other sensitive species like Chinook Salmon, and Bull Trout. Additionally, if headwater access is reestablished it will allow fish more opportunity to find thermal refuge near springs and cooler water in higher elevation areas, therefore helping mitigate warming water temperatures in the basin. In summary, this project will provide important information that will assist restoration efforts and thus have a positive impact on steelhead and sensitive fish populations in the Clearwater Basin.