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Initiated in 1999
For more information contact
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mid Columbia River Fishery Resources
Office
12790 Fish Hatchery Road
Leavenworth, WA 98826
| Project
Description: |
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Icicle Creek is a
tributary to the Wenatchee River near Leavenworth, Washington
and is part of the Columbia River system. The Leavenworth National
Fish Hatchery (NFH) was constructed in 1939 as mitigation for
the 1,400 miles of spawning and nursery habitat cut off by the
Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. However, a series of dams
and weirs built at the hatchery blocks passage of numerous fish
species, including federally listed steelhead and bull trout,
into 27 miles of upstream habitat. The Mid Columbia FRO is working
with Leavenworth NFH and others to define and evaluate various
fish passage alternatives, leading to development and implementation
of a preferred fish passage route and restoration of fish habitat
within the hatchery grounds. The Fish Passage Program provided
$30,000 in FY1999 to aid in this effort. |
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| Project
Outcome: |
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In January 1999, an
interdisciplinary team comprised of biologists from various areas
of expertise and agencies was formed. The team began internal
scoping for the National Environmental Policy Act process (NEPA),
and developed several alternatives for the project. Several public
scoping sessions were completed in the summer of 1999, as well,
environmental and biological studies were initiated. Additionally,
the Mid Columbia FRO is providing expertise to the NEPA interdisciplinary
team in developing the Environmental Impact Statement on the effects
of various fish passage options. |
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Barrier
dam at Leavenworth NFH, Icicle Creek, WA |
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| Project
Status: |
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A radio telemetry study was completed
in 2000 which indicated that fish did not ascend a natural barrier
in the stream which would limit potential benefit. These findings
were verified with surveys of adult spring chinook migrations
in 2001. Further telemetry tests are needed using wild origin
steelhead and bull trout to fully evaluate the ability of fish
to negotiate the natural barrier.
Also in 2000, the NEPA team worked
with an engineering firm to analyze the passage/restoration
alternatives and review improvements to the hatchery intake
system. Associated biological and hydrological studies were
completed in August 2000.
The Mid-Columbia FRO continued
to work throughout 2001 with Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery
and others to define and evaluate various fish passage alternatives.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for implementing the
alternatives was completed in July 2001. |
| Benefits: |
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Completion
of the project will provide upstream passage to 27 miles of habitat
in Upper Icicle Creek for resident and migratory fish populations,
including the federally listed steelhead, chinook salmon, bull
trout, and other fish species. |
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| Partners: |
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USFWS-Leavenworth
National Fish Hatchery, U.S. Forest Service, state and tribal
agencies. |
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