mill pond propertyWatershed: Chehalis River Basin
Sub-basin: Scatter Creek |
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Mill Creek Culvert project
Project description: The previous 24-inch culvert was undersized for the stream bank-full width. The Mill Creek stream system has historically been used by both adult and juvenile Coho and Cutthroat salmonids. The stream/riparian habitat was in fairly good condition. Upgrading the culvert size to a 10-foot squash would enhance the mobility throughout the stream system for all aquatic species as well as large debris.
A new 10 foot squash culvert replaced the old failing culvert under our maintenance road. This amazing culvert is so big you can walk through it!! It is truly a marvel to see how this correction has allowed this premium salmonid habitat to rejuvenate itself. The mobility of debris, high flows, and aquatic wildlife has improved immensely. We have witnessed adult salmon moving freely through this reach of Mill Creek that had been extremely difficult in years past.
Completion date: October 1998
A new 10 foot squash culvert replaced the old failing culvert under our maintenance road. This amazing culvert is so big you can walk through it!! It is truly a marvel to see how this correction has allowed this premium salmonid habitat to rejuvenate itself. The mobility of debris, high flows, and aquatic wildlife has improved immensely. We have witnessed adult salmon moving freely through this reach of Mill Creek that had been extremely difficult in years past.
Completion date: October 1998
Mill Creek Bridge project
Project description: The Mill Creek is a tributary of Scatter Creek, which runs through our property near the Mill Pond. This creek had three old concrete culverts under a railroad track, which ran parallel to our property. One of the three culverts was completely blocked by debris and sediment. The other two were half blocked with debris and had a large 4 foot plunge pool at the outfall of the culverts. This plunge pool was too tall for fish to pass through and caused a significant barrier.
We worked with the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department for several years trying to address this situation. In 2003 Thurston County Parks and Recreation wrote and received funding through a grant with our support. Because of our cooperation and collaboration this project was able to move forward and the culverts were replaced with a bridge, which would significantly improve mobility throughout the stream system for all aquatic wildlife. The culverts were replaced while transforming the old railroad tracks into the Yelm to Tenino “Rails to Trails” program. We also worked together to incorporate signs along the path that share information about native plants, the environmental importance of our native ecosystem, and historical facts.
Completion date: Spring 2005
We worked with the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department for several years trying to address this situation. In 2003 Thurston County Parks and Recreation wrote and received funding through a grant with our support. Because of our cooperation and collaboration this project was able to move forward and the culverts were replaced with a bridge, which would significantly improve mobility throughout the stream system for all aquatic wildlife. The culverts were replaced while transforming the old railroad tracks into the Yelm to Tenino “Rails to Trails” program. We also worked together to incorporate signs along the path that share information about native plants, the environmental importance of our native ecosystem, and historical facts.
Completion date: Spring 2005