Scott Bar Mill Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project

The primary goal of the Scott Bar Mill Creek Fish Passage Improvement project is to restore coho salmon spawning and rearing access to approximately 3 miles of coho habitat within the Scott Bar Mill Creek watershed. This will be achieved by 1) eliminating a partial, rock barrier at the confluence of the Scott River by extending lower Mill Creek to improve coho access for all life stages; and by 2) removing a cement, ford crossing located 200 ft. from the mouth that is a full passage barrier. The ford crossing will be replaced with a free span bridge (based on 100% draft engineering drawings).

Expected benefits include volitional coho access to 3 miles of intrinsic spawning and rearing potential restricted by 2 passage barriers at the mouth. Creating fish-passage will provide seasonal thermal refuge for migrating and rearing coho juveniles, as well as shelter and velocity breaks during periods of high water within the mainstem Scott River. These benefits will increase coho productivity in the Mill Creek watershed and further enhance the Scott River population.