Soda Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Enhancement Project

The project will provide access to 2.6mi of upstream habitat by replacing a stream crossing barrier on an MRC access road with a single arch culvert and construct a restored channel (500ft) and four alcoves with pools with large wood structures in Soda Creek, tributary to the North Fork (NF) Navarro River. The Project Area experiences frequent backwatering of the NF Navarro River, and is identified as providing important velocity refugia for salmonids. Soda Creek remains significantly cooler than the NF Navarro due to springs and seeps, and juvenile salmonids were observed in several pools in September 2022, suggesting that water temperatures and dissolved oxygen are sufficient for juvenile summer rearing. This is the first phase of habitat restoration efforts in Soda Creek. Phase II is under development and will focus on improving habitat in the 4,500ft reach upstream from the Phase I Project Area.

This project will restore access to up to 2.6mi of upstream habitat for Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout (CDFW 2013). Additionally, constructed alcoves will include pools and large wood structures that can provide both velocity refugia during winter and cold-water rearing habitat during summer.