US 101 - Leland Creek and Unnamed Tribs - Remove Fish Barriers - Complete December 2023

Correcting fish passage barriers is an important part of WSDOT’s efforts to protect and restore fish runs negatively affected by outdated culverts under state highways.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 efforts in removing state-owned culverts that block habitat for salmon, bull trout and steelhead.

Replacing outdated culverts with new full-span bridges and fish passable structures with increase the likelihood of migration through the channel. Fish will be able to pass through both creeks easier as the water will be slower, and the bridges will span of a more natural creek environment.

At the northern and southern tributary sites under US 101, corrected barriers will produce nearly four miles of upstream habitat. At Leland Creek specifically, a new concrete girder bridge will allow nearly 14 miles of upstream habitat to improve migration for Chinook, coho salmon, steelhead, and bull trout.