Those folks that know Johnson Creek Watershed Council are familiar with our restoration work, and for those that are just stepping into the water, this restoration project is a good example of how we work to improve habitat throughout the watershed, including on Badger Creek (a tributary close to the headwaters of Johnson Creek). For several years, the Council has worked on identifying barriers that get in the way of migrating salmon and trout. This effort has led to the identification of priority barriers on our creeks and streams and we can work to address them. Over the last few years, JCWC has been working with Clackamas county on one such barrier.
Rugg Road, adjacent to the Springwater Trail, has a crossing over Badger Creek (in the upper part of our watershed) that was shown as a barrier to fish that migrate in our creeks. After years of planning, the Council, as well as management from Clackamas County, started construction this summer to replace this barrier, a culvert under Rugg Road. The barrier was two small culverts side by side that were undersized for the water volume that goes into the creek after high rain events. This undersized culvert makes the water shoot out like a fire hose when the waters are high while backing up the water behind it, sometimes over topping the road. The fire hose effect prevents fish from swimming upstream to additional habitable areas of the creek. The timing of high rain events was problematic because the high flows in the fall and winter coincided with fish migration. In addition, the rusting and failing of the culverts themselves, created a situation for replacement to keep Rugg Rd operational and not at risk during a storm event with high flows.
Before construction began in July, the entire JCWC crew got into the field and helped remove fish and other aquatic life from the project area. Water was temporarily diverted and pumped around the construction site and back into the stream. Staff and partners carefully collected and counted the fish and other aquatic species before safely releasing them downstream, away from the construction area.
Dry Canyon Construction worked with Clackamas County and JCWC to remove the old culverts and replace them with a new, 17-foot-wide single arch culvert. With the new culvert now in place, fish have an easier path through Badger Creek, and high flows pose less risk to Rugg Road and the surrounding community. Installation of the new culvert is complete, and Rugg Road has reopened.
JCWC is excited to celebrate the completion of another fish passage project. By replacing this barrier, we are helping create a freer flowing Badger Creek where salmon, lamprey, and other fish can move upstream when they are ready. At the same time, the new crossing gives the community a safer and more predictable road during the high-water months of fall and winter.
