Fish Salvage

West Fork Environmental field biologist and technician conducting fish salvage at Johnson Creek.

Before temporarily dewatering a stream to remove a fish passage barrier, we conduct a fish salvage.

This process involves relocating fish from the work zone to safe areas and helps prevent additional fish from entering the zone during construction. It's all temporary, just until the stream is restored and ready to flow again.

This summer 25, we conducted fish salvage with West Fork Environmental at the Johnson Creek site, a highly productive coho stream. At this location, we’re replacing a rusted, undersized culvert with a new bridge.

Combined with the addition of large woody debris to the stream, this project will improve over 3 miles of fish habitat.

Funders: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and Nuveen Natural Capital .
Partners: Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Chinook Indian Nation.