Project overview
This project will remove a barrier to fish passage along Martha Creek on State Route 524 near Lynnwood. Contractor crews working for WSDOT will remove the existing culvert and replace it with a fish-passable structure. This new structure has the potential to open more than 1.5 miles of habitat for coho salmon and steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.
What to expect
WSDOT will select a qualified design-build contractor to complete the design of the fish passable structure for Martha Creek to Swamp Creek. This project is combined into a single contract with other fish passage projects on Interstate 5 and SR 525. This site is currently part of our Fish Passage Delivery Plan to comply with a Federal Injunction. Our WSDOT Fish Passage Program currently requires additional funding from the State Legislature to fully fund our Delivery Plan. At this time, we don’t know when we will have funding to construct this fish barrier correction.
This project will improve fish passage under SR 524 near Lynnwood.
The culvert under SR 524 at Martha Creek does not allow fish to pass and will be replaced with a fish-passable structure. When finished, the new structure will open more than 1.5 miles of fish habitat. This project is part of our fish passage program. Replacing the existing culverts and rebuilding the stream channels expands healthy fish habitat; an important step in restoring fish runs and increasing populations. This benefits commercial seafood operations and recreational fishers and provides more food for a declining orca population. Additionally, replacing these fish barriers helps us meet our obligation to remove barriers under the 2013 U.S. District Court injunction.
