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California Creek Rehabilitation Project
Project Overview
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| The outlet of the California Creek culvert to be replaced. |
California Creek, a tributary of Hangman (Latah) Creek, supports a genetically valuable population of resident Interior Redband Trout.
The culvert at Chapman Road is a fish barrier concern. During low flows, there is an excessive drop of approximately 36 inches to the water surface at the outlet of the culvert. This drop was created by the erosion of the downstream channel from the high energy flow through the culvert. The significant drop makes passage of both adult and juvenile fish impossible. The continued scouring and instability of the culvert are also contributing to on-going water quality issues within the basin. Erosion downstream of the culvert has affected downstream landowners and provides an undesirable source of sedimentation to the stream.
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| This picture, provided by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, is an example of a bottomless arch culvert similar to the one that will be used for the California Creek Rehabilitation Project. |
With the cooperation of the adjacent landowner, one of two problem culverts in the area is being scheduled for replacement and rehabilitation by September of 2007. The current culvert is to be replaced with a bottomless arch culvert. The stream bottom will be replicated to mimic a natural stream. Streamside vegetation will be reestablished with the planting of several native species such as dogwood and alder. Approximately 1,900 plants will be planted at this site.
Installation of the new culvert and rehabilitation of the stream will provide fish access and habitat to an additional half mile of the stream.
Project Contact
If you would like to learn more about the California Creek Rehabilitation Project, contact Charlie Peterson at the Spokane County Conservation District (509) 535-7274 .
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