The Rocky Creek Barrier Replacement project is located approximately 15 miles west of Purdy, WA. This project proposes to remove a passage barrier in a Tier 1 watershed, replacing it with an adequately sized structure to increase fish passage, restore geomorphic integrity, and reduce flooding. The barrier culvert was identified by Pierce County Conservation District in 2000 while conducting the East WRIA 15 culvert inventory. Two other barriers on the West Fork of Rocky Creek were also identified during the inventory and have been funded through a separate program (FFFPP). All three culverts were recognized as undersized and incorrectly installed.
The inadequate size of the existing culvert on 144th results in back water during high flow events and subsequently floods the roads and delays salmon migration. These projects in combination will open approximately five miles of spawning and rearing habitat to five salmonid species including Chinook, coho, chum, steelhead and cutthroat trout. Rocky Creek and the West Fork of Rocky Creek have large wetland and lake systems which serve as optimal rearing habitat. The PI that was calculated for these projects in combination is 58.49. There are no additional barriers up or downstream of these projects. The culvert under the 144 Street is listed as one of the top recommended actions in the WRIA 15 Limiting Factors Analysis.
