Kitsap Culvert Replacement
In 2018, Mid Sound replaced a failing 24 inch concrete pipe culvert under a small stream draining into Sinclair Inlet in Gorst WA. The culvert was a blockage to fish. “During high-flow events, the water was shooting out of it” says Jeanette Dorner, who managed the project for Mid Sound. The fish literally couldn’t get through it.
The culvert is on a private driveway, and for several years, the landowners hadn’t been able to access their house because a flood had washed away part of their driveway.
The driveway prior to the culvert replacement.
Erosion along the driveway.
An old 24-inch concrete pipe culvert running underneath the driveway.
The new culvert was 16 foot wide, with a natural stream bottom that will allow fish to freely pass. Though small, this stream may support coho, steelhead and possibly chum salmon. However, there are other blockages that still need to be addressed on the creek.
A 16-foot wide steel arch culvert replaced the 24-inch concrete pipe culvert.
Planting native plants along the stream to help prevent future erosion of the creek bank.
This project was funded through the Family Forest Fish Passage Program through the Recreation and Conservation Office. This program provides grants to help small private forest owners fix fish blockages on their properties.