Hawley Creek Culvert Replacement

Project Narrative

Actions included the removal of the full fish passage barrier (two side-by-side culverts counted as one fish passage barrier) at the road crossing. The culverts were replaced with a 24 foot by 35 foot prefabricated modular bridge. This resulted in 4.7 miles of upstream access for all life stages of ESA listed salmonids and other resident fish. Approximately, 0.01 miles of stream was treated.This action is part of a USBWP plan to reconnect Hawley Creek to the Lemhi River. Installation of the bridge increased channel area and restored a natural channel under the bridge. This project falls within the NOAA Assessment Units Lemhi River seasonally and disconnected tributaries (LRS3) for Snake River Steelhead. Habitat quantity and particularly anthropogenic barriers, account for approximately 20% of the conditions which limit the distribution of anadromous fish to diverse habitats within the Lemhi NOAA assessment unit.Due to cold working conditions and freezing soil conditions the installation of the bridge was delayed. The original start date was schedule to begin in November of 2012. The installation was postponed until April of 2013. The final inspection by the engineer was completed on May 3, 2013.Due to high water during 2013 the installation was monitored in May of 2013 and it was determined that no damage was done.The velocity of the creek flow will be reduced and will result in the elimination of the current physical barrier, allowing passage for all life stages of ESA-listed salmonids and other resident species. The barrier removal will provide an additional 4.7 miles of access upstream and restore a more natural condition to the Hawley Creek channel at this project location.