Chelan County Department of Natural Resources - Chumstick Creek Culvert Replacement

This project involved the removal and/or replacement of 17 culverts on Chumstick Creek which were identified as barriers to upstream fish passage. The purpose of this project was to remove fish barriers in Chumstick Creek in order to improve salmon and steelhead passage and habitat. These culverts were located upstream of the confluence of Eagle Creek and downstream of Little Chumstick. Chelan County Natural Resources Department (CCNRD) proposed this project as part of the ongoing effort to improve habitat for salmonid species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The project was funded through the Bonneville Power Administration. Skillings Connolly prepared designs for new creek crossings and acquired permit applications for 17 crossings along Chumstick Creek. This project was permitted through WDFW, US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Ecology, USFWS, and NOAA Fisheries. Design of the new creek crossings incorporated design requirements presented in BPA's current Habitat Improvement Plan Biological Opinion (HIP BO II). The project ultimately removed 17 existing culverts and replaced them, either directly or as consolidated crossings, with bridge structures. Skillings Connolly also assisted CCNRD with landowner negotiations in an effort to consolidate driveway crossings and to allow for fish passage improvement on private property.

 

This project was awarded the American Council of Engineering Companies' (ACEC) 2010 Engineering Excellence Award for Complexity due to the challenges associated with design, permitting, bid and award, and construction.

 

Reference: Alan Schmidt, Habitat Program Manager, Chelan County Natural Resources Department