Correcting fish passage barriers under US 101 near Sequim
Correcting fish passage barriers is an important part of the state's efforts to protect and restore fish runs negatively affected by outdated culverts under state highways.
In 2013, a federal court injunction required the state to significantly increase the state’s efforts in removing state-owned culverts that block habitat for salmon, bull trout and steelhead.
Replacing the outdated culverts with either bridges or fish passable structures will increase the likelihood of migration through the channel. Fish will be able to pass through creeks easier as the water will be slower simulate a more natural creek environment.
The following locations will be corrected as part of this project:
- M.P. 267.18 – Johnson Creek
- M.P. 268.54 – Unnamed Tributary to Sequim Bay (Discovery Creek)
- M.P. 271.83 – Unnamed Tributary to Sequim Bay 2
- M.P. 271.98 – Chicken Coop Creek
- M.P. 274.25 – Eagle Creek
- M.P. 277.90 – Contractors Creek
- Bridges are proposed at 5 of the 6 locations to replace the outdated culverts that run under the highway and block passage for fish like salmon.
- Eagle Creek will be corrected with a new concrete box culvert.
All in-stream work will occur during approved Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Fish Windows" to minimize impacts to aquatic species.
US 101 at Contractor's Creek will be corrected as part of this fish barrier correction project.
Chicken Coop Creek runs under US 101 near milepost 272 and is a barrier to salmon migration. This crossing will be corrected with a new fish passable structure beginning in summer 2023.
Learn how WSDOT is improving fish passage across Washington State.
Visit the North Olympic Peninsula 2023 Construction online open house.
