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O Creek
O Creek is a tributary in a nearly pristine section of the Snoqualmie River watershed, just downstream from Snoqualmie Falls. It runs diagonally through our 95 acre Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater property. It had been salmon habitat in years past, with salmon migrating up from the Snoqualmie River. Over the years, at least two separate bridges were constructed to allow passage over O Creek. The remains of on old bridge impeded fish passage fairly close to the creek's outlet.
In early 2005, a rehabilitation process was begun with an initial assessment by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Program. It was determined that repairing the stream bed would open ¾ mile of pristine spawning and rearing habitat to coho, steelhead, and cutthroat trout on O Creek. The barrier to fish was an old ford consisting of logs partially buried in the streambed, located about 150 yards upstream from the creek's mouth at the Snoqualmie. As this barrier was approximately 4 feet high, it stopped fish migration.
The Plan
The project got underway in September 2005. The existing bridge was removed and disassembled. The stream was diverted and
the fish passage barrier was removed. The stream bed has been regraded to create resting pools for the migrating fish. Rock boulder weirs have been used
to moderate the stream flow and to ensure that no new barriers are created. The banks of the stream have been replanted.
After allowing the stream to settle for approximately one year, a new footbridge was constructed over the stream in August, 2006. This bridge should eliminate foot traffic through the stream bed.
Interpretive signs will be placed near the stream to describe the project and the types of fish that may migrate up the stream.
The New Bridge!
Thank You!
Many Thanks to Stewardship Partners who have been helping us in all aspects of this project from arranging meetings with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to finding biologists to map the stream, and most importantly, finding funding to make this project a reality.
