Bridge Creek Fish Passage Improvement

The purpose of this project is to improve aquatic passage and prevent fish entrainment at the Gyllenberg’s Diversion within critical habitat for the threatened Middle Columbia River steelhead, and Interior Columbia redband trout, a sensitive species. There is a need to improve aquatic passage in Bridge Creek at the Gyllenberg’s Diversion to support all life stages of threatened steelhead populations and other aquatic species.



Two water rights exist at this location under certificates C82363 for max rate of 1.4 CFS with 11/26/1976 priority date, and C25342 for max rate of 3.05 CFS with 9/30/1888 priority date for a total max rate of 4.45 CFS. The diversion is located approximately 2.55 miles upstream from Bridge Creek’s confluence with Middle Fork John Day River. Project implementation will not affect water use rates.



Currently the Gyllenberg’s Diversion on Bridge Creek is lacking a fish screen structure, leading to fish entrainment and poses as a fish passage barrier during low flows. All populations of aquatic organisms are to be maintained and managed in a manner that ensures their viability and persistence.



Reaching this desired condition for the Gyllenberg’s Diversion requires the removal of the current diversion structure and re-configuration of the channel to improve fish passage and prepare the site for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to install a fish screened headgate consisting of a dual bay 5 foot by 2-foot system.



This project will be used to advance the current conceptual designs to final implementation designs through subcontract with Grant Soil and Water Conservation District, who employ the lead engineer for this project.

The desired conditions for the proposed treatment areas include (1) improved fish passage, (2) elimination of fish entrainment, (3) no effect to landowner water right, and (4) a diversion structure equipped with a fish screen devised to support viable populations of anadromous Middle Columbia River steelhead, resident fish, and wildlife. The desired condition is a state that would provide fish passage within current and future hydrologic conditions.