USFWS/NFPP Project: BLUE RIVER ROAD CROSSING, ARIZONA

Fish Passage Decision Support System

Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance

Fisheries and Habitat Conservation

Questions or Comments?

BLUE RIVER ROAD CROSSING, ARIZONA

Completed in 2000

For more information contact
Arizona Fishery Resources Office - San Carlos
P.O. Box 710
Peridot, Arizona 85542

Project Description:

The Blue River is located on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, in the east-central portion of Arizona. The specific objective of the Blue River Fish Passage Project was to armor the wet road crossing at the junction of the 1200 Road and the Blue River.

Streambed disturbance from vehicle and road maintenance equipment was Blue River 1

creating erosion and water quality issues in the Blue River. The San Carlos Tribal Roads Department had traditionally addressed these issues by installing culverts; however, this project was designed as a demonstration project to offer an alternative to culverts that also did not create a fish passage barrier.


Project Outcome:	Cooperators installed of a series of precast cement slabs with galvanized steel cables used to link them together to form a mat on the stream bed. The precast slabs were installed by hand, minimizing the need for heavy equipment, thereby reducing the disturbance to the stream bed. Spacing between the slabs allows for the movement of fish even during periods of low flow. Following the construction of the mat, cement slabs were poured on the banks adjacent to the mat, which were designed to stabilize the stream banks and add an additional anchor for the structure.

Benefits:

The Blue River contains a secure native fish assemblage that includes the Gila chub; a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Vehicle movement across Blue River has been enhanced by minimizing the erosion and water quality problems experienced before the project. Fish have been observed passing through the structure, both during and after the project.


Partners:	San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Operations, San Carlos Apache Tribal Roads Department, and the Ash Creek Cattle Association.