Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings

Alan Yamada, Program Leader

Kim Clarkin , Project Leader

March 2008

Barrier Inventory Protocol and Training
Status: Complete

Final revisions to the protocol were completed in November 2005.  One minor change was made to the supplemental field form in March 2006. The protocol is available on the web at www.stream.fs.fed.us/fishxing under “Assessment Guide” or “National Inventory and Assessment Procedure for Identifying Barriers to Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings”. An on-line culvert inventory tutorial by the FishXing team is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pep/PEP_inventory?x=1.

Users should realize that some regional-level pre-work is needed before undertaking the field survey.  For example, indicator species/lifestages that will define a ‘barrier’ need to be selected (eg. a barrier to dace may not be a barrier to trout).  For those species, coarse screens need to be developed for use in the field.  The screens distinguish crossings that are barriers from passable crossings, and from crossings needing further analysis.   The project can offer assistance in formulating the screens, but in the end it must be done with specific knowledge of the species and lifestages concerned.  This work should also be done in consultation with regulatory agencies and other partners.  The Northern Region is using coarse screens for juvenile and adult bulltrout and cutthroat (http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/wildlife/wwfrp/fisheries/Fish_passge.htm).  Mark Hudy, eastern regions aquatic ecologist, worked with graduate student Seth Coffman to develop screens for several classes of fish east of the Mississippi River (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/pubs/feu/thesis_coffman_fishpass_2005.pdf)

The field surveys are best done jointly by people with background in fisheries, hydrology/geomorphology, and engineering.  We strongly recommend that wildlife biologists also be consulted, at least during the planning phase, to ensure that aquatic and species other than fish are not overlooked.  Training courses for people planning, implementing, and analyzing field surveys have been given in regions 1 (2002), 4 (2003), 9 (2003), 8 (2004), and 2 (2006). 

Ultimately, the inventory data will be housed in NRIS and INFRA. In the interim, the Access database originally created by R6 and modified by R1 for the national protocol is available on Region 1's aquatic organism passage webpage: http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/wildlife/wwfrp/fisheries/Fish_passge.htm.

FishXing update
Status: Version 3.0 Beta Posted.

Updates incorporated in FishXing 3.0 (http://www.stream.fs.fed.us/fishxing/index.html) include recently published fish swim performance data, metric capability, full pipe flow calculations, an option to compare culvert flows to regulatory criteria, improvements in the user interface and report generation, and others. The FishXing team put significant effort into improving the help information relating to fish movement. Mike Furniss at the Pacific Southwest Research Station in Arcata CA is the project leader for FishXing.

Videos
Status: Complete

Two videos (3-min and 15-min) highlighting the problems with aquatic organism passage and demonstrating some solutions were completed and distributed in 2003.  The films aim to increase awareness among people unfamiliar with these problems.  The films are titled “Getting Across”, and copies are still available by emailing gtoyama@fs.fed.us.

Stream Simulation: An Ecological Approach to Providing  Passage for Aquatic Organisms at Road-Stream Crossings.
Status: Final Draft in Review

This guide describes how to assess a site, find a reference reach, and simulate a streambed inside a culvert that will pass all aquatic species at the site. It also discusses situations when exact stream simulation is not feasible or desirable, and what design methods are useful in those cases. Contract provisions and specifications for stream simulation projects are illustrated, and some of the most common construction challenges are described, along with some solutions. The first part of the guide describes ecological and geomorphic processes that should be considered during crossing design.

Aquatic Organism Passage Design Reference Guide
Status: in development.

Mike Furniss and associates are preparing a CD that will offer reference material and links to basic assessment and design information including all the products of this project.  

Aquatic Organism Passage Design Training Courses
Status: Active

This course is taught by a 4-5 person team of experienced designers. Its objective is to teach site assessment and design techniques for crossings that pass aquatic organisms with particular emphasis on when and how to use stream simulation.  Courses have been given in R1 (2003); R4, 5, and 9 (2004); R6, 8, 9, and the state of Maine (2005); R6, 8, 9, and 10 (2006); R2 (2007); and R8 (April 2008).  Mark Weinhold, White River NF, is the course coordinator.