A fish passage barrier is anything that hinders fish from moving upstream or downstream. Culverts, large pipes under roadways, allow water to flow but may not allow fish to swim through. Culverts may block fish migration because the water flow is too swift, too shallow, or has a waterfall into or out of the culvert.
We correct fish barriers on state highways to help salmon recovery and comply with state laws. Since we created a dedicated fish passage program in 1991, we have corrected hundreds of barriers that have restored access to over one thousand miles of fish habitat. In addition to our ongoing work to correct statewide barriers, a 2013 federal court injunction requires the state to correct barrier culverts to salmon and steelhead within the injunction area in western Washington.
Opening habitat allows more salmon and steelhead at all life stages (including juveniles who aren’t yet strong swimmers like adults) to access important spawning and rearing habitat, including areas that have been inaccessible for years. Installing structures like bridges and culverts that allow for natural stream processes help protect and restore salmon runs, ultimately benefiting both the Pacific Northwest landscape and economy.
The following streams and culverts will be corrected during this project.
These locations were identified in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Bundle 1
US 101 / Grays Harbor Creeks - Remove Fish Barriers
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Stevens Creek at milepost 111.3
US 101: Unnamed Stream to WF Hoquiam River at milepost 98.47
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Big Creek at milepost 102.97
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Unnamed Stream at milepost 100.7
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Big Creek at milepost 103.65
US 101: Unnamed Stream to WF Hoquiam River at milepost 99.45
Bundle 2
US 101 / Northwest US 101 - Remove Fish Barriers
US 101: Wisen Creek to Sol Duc River at milepost 209.3
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Dowans Creek at milepost 182.2
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Dowans Creek at milepost 181.2
US 101: Grader Creek to Bogachiel River at milepost 189.4
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 163.1
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Braden Creek at milepost 169.45
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Hoh River at milepost 171.29
Bundle 3
US 101 / Quinault Reservation - Remove Fish Barriers
US 101: Harlow Creek to Queets River at milepost 142.68
US 101: Harlow Creek to Queets River at milepost 142.48
US 101: Crane Creek to Raft River at milepost 137.32
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Lunch Creek at milepost 135.26
US 101: Lunch Creek to Raft River at milepost 135.68
US 101: Unnamed Stream to Queets River at milepost 152.47
Bundle 4
SR 109 / Hoquiam to Ocean City - Remove Fish Barriers
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Grass Creek at milepost 6.91
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Little Hoquiam River at milepost 4.46
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 27.05
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Boone Creek at milepost 24.56
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Connor Creek at milepost 19.4
Bundle 5
SR 109 / Ocean City to Taholah - Remove Fish Barriers
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 37.43
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 33.87
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 36.43
SR 109: Wain Creek to Pacific Ocean at milepost 33.1
SR 109: Unnamed Stream to Pacific Ocean at milepost 36.38
Learn how WSDOT is improving fish passage across Washington State.
View WSDOT's interactive map of all 29 barriers being corrected in this project.
Learn about the Federal Court injunction for fish passage.
