Upper Gaviota Fish Passage Project-65% Engineering Designs

The project will develop agency approved 65% designs that address nine fish passage barriers that limit fish migration in the Gaviota Creek Watershed. The project will use detailed topographic surveys of the sites produced by Caltrans District 5 to develop alternative designs to promote fish possibility at each fish barrier structure, hydraulic modeling to ensure fish passage criteria is satisfied, and model flood conveyance at each site. To achieve a preliminary design that meets fish passage criteria and Caltrans design requirements will require multiple meetings between the project partners. Analysis will be made of the design alternatives, feedback will be reviewed and incorporated, and a review conducted to consider any increased risk to the highway structure or flood impacts. Once all the stakeholders agree on a preferred design, work will proceed to 65% design completion.

Developing 65% engineering designs at the nine fish passage barriers is the first step to remediating fish passage within Gaviota Creek at these locations. The proposed designs will provide the scaffolding for future implementation work, which once implemented, will provide Federally Endangered Southern Steelhead Trout connectivity to higher quality spawning and rearing habitats.