Fish Passage Construction in Mission Creek

Public improvements of regional drainage facilities due to urbanization have led to the reduction of natural creek bed area. This reduction has prohibited steelhead from migrating to the upstream pools to spawn. The urbanization of southern California has resulted in a significant reduction of the steelhead population in this area.

California is working to improve fish passage through urbanized areas so that the steelhead can reach the upper pools to spawn. Limited funding is available for this work effort and with current economic conditions additional funding is scarce. Economical designs that lead to economical construction methods will increase the number of projects that can be constructed.

The construction costs of fish passage improvement projects can be reduced through preparation of construction documents that clearly detail the specialty items of construction for this type of project. In particular, detailing of fish passage components such as weirs, gates, sills, transitions, and other unique items. Field experience in this area has shown that working with the contractor and their subcontractor can significantly reduce delays in the fabrication and installation of these components. This inter action will help the contractor understand the intent of the design and its components thus reducing construction problems.