Smith River Watershed Council

The Primary Objectives of This Project Are to Improve Pacific Lamprey Passage in Coon Creek and the West Fork Smith River WFSR. the Project Will Also Benefit Instream Habitat in the West Fork Smith River Through the Placement of Grade Control Structures in a Bedrock Dominated Stream. the Project Location Is at the Confluence of the West Fork Smith River and Coon Creek a WFSR Tributary, Approximately 1.7 Miles From the Mouth of the West Fork Smith River. Coon Creek Is a Tributary to the West Fork Smith River. Three Concrete Sills Were Constructed in Approximately 1973 in the WFSR to Back Water Into and Retain Sediment in the Coon Creek Culvert to Improve Fish Passage. Without These Weirs, Fish Will Have to Jump Into the Coon Creek Culvert. the Full Channel Spanning Concrete Sills Were Designed With Salmonid Passage Needs, and Lamprey Passage Needs Were Not Considered at the Time. Pacific Lamprey Have Been Documented Upstream of the Culvert and Concrete Sills, But Passage Is Likely Compromised. the Project Will Remove the Concrete Sills in the WFSR, Place Grade Control Structures in the WFSR, and Replace the Culvert at Coon Creek With a Stream Simulation Culvert or Bridge Meeting Current State and Federal Fish Passage Requirements. Removing the Concrete Sills and Replacing the Culvert at the Mouth of Coon Creek, Along With the Instream Channel Structures in the WFSR, Will Provide Uninhibited Passage for Pacific Lamprey and Improve Instream Habitat.