This project replaced an undersized culvert on Forest Service Road 40N39 on Kelly Gulch, a tributary to the North Fork Salmon River within the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, with a bottomless arch culvert allowing natural passage of aquatic organisms, water, sediment, and debris. The culvert was one of the only remaining barriers to anadromous fish on the Klamath National Forest Transportation System, benefiting SONCC coho salmon, steelhead trout, and potentially Pacific lamprey.
Location: Kelly Gulch is a perennial tributary of the North Fork Salmon River, located within the Klamath National Forest. The North Fork Salmon River is a tributary to the Salmon River, which is a major tributary to the Klamath River in Siskiyou County, California. The Klamath River flows to the Pacific Ocean south of Crescent City.
Historical Presence of Anadromous Fish: Kelly Gulch contains Southern Oregon and Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon, Klamath Mountains Province steelhead trout, and potentially Pacific lamprey, along with resident coldwater fishes. Klamath National Forest data show that anadromous fish distribution in Kelly Gulch extends to the culvert at FS Road 40N39 road crossing The area has been identified as having High Intrinsic Potential in the SONCC Coho Recovery Plan.
Project Lead Organization: USDA Forest Service, Klamath National Forest
Project Partners: Salmon River Restoration Council (SRRC); Ecosystem River Designs Group (design contractor); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (permitting); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (grant administration)
Project Description: The project addresses an undersized culvert at FS Road 40N39 that is a known fish passage barrier. The Kelly Gulch drainage burned during the 2013 Salmon River Complex Fire, and a post-fire BAER team survey reconfirmed the culvert is undersized, with sediment aggradation at the inlet already hindering passage of sediment and debris prior to the fire. BAER funds were not granted for the upgrade, leaving the crossing as an ongoing barrier. The recommended treatment is to install a bottomless arch culvert to allow natural passage of aquatic organisms, water, sediment, and debris. This crossing is one of the only remaining barriers to anadromous fish on the Klamath National Forest Transportation System.
Expected Completion: Fall 2021.
Project Effectiveness: Post-construction monitoring was planned to survey a 0.4-mile section upstream of the culvert to determine if juvenile SONCC coho salmon and steelhead trout are accessing the newly opened habitat, and to monitor the new crossing during high flow events to ensure passage of watershed products is functional and sustainable.