Trout Creek Culvert Removal and Fish Passage
Trout Creek Culvert Removal and Fish Passage
EOR is currently working with Oneida Nation to restore aquatic organism / fish passage in Trout Creek. The culvert under an abandoned railroad grade (Duck Creek Trail) has become a barrier to fish passage and other aquatic biota. The exiting culvert also negatively affects sediment transport through the creek.
EOR developed a bottomless culvert design to allow aquatic organism passage and to reestablish a natural stream bed under the trail. The new crossing will include grade control and riffle structures to reestablish aquatic connectivity to upstream resources and preservation of deep pool habitat with submerged wood to provide overwintering refugia for a state-listed turtle that was discovered by the EOR team during a pre-project survey. Project construction is anticipated in 2026.
Client Benefits
- The project will remove a fish barrier under a railroad grade 25 feet in height.
- Completed an alternatives analysis to reduce project disturbance and construction costs.
- Developed a detailed hydrologic & hydraulic model to support project permitting.
Related Projects
Improving Trout Passage
Road culvert design maintains water flow, promoting fish passage to spawning habitat.
Land Cover Updates
Using GIS to update county information as per state land cover classification system for conservatipon planning.
Resource Assessment
Documentation of significant natural resources to inform larger stewardship and comp. plans.