Fish Passage Improvement
Access to cool and clean upstream waters is crucial for the health of our native fisheries including ESA-listed salmon and steelhead.
The watershed council prioritizes fish passage in the mainstem Calapooia River and the highest priority tributary systems including Brush and Courtney Creeks. Without access to these headwaters, instream habitat restoration like wood or boulder placement is less effective. Removal of diversion dams and barrier culverts have been the councils primary tools, with replacement of properly sized, passable structures or alternative, more modern diversion systems like pumps or engineered grade control. Since 2006 in partnership with the local community and agencies the watershed council has removed three small concrete dams on the river, and 8 barrier culverts. Timber industry partners have also contributed to passage in the headwaters per the Oregon Forestry Practices Act.