Culvert Replacements for Fish Passage in South Carolina

Quick Facts:

About the Project:

These projects would address road crossing fish passage barriers located on a tributary of Lynches River and Saluda River, which is designated critical habitat for the endangered Carolina heelsplitter mussel. The road crossings are not designed for aquatic organism passage and currently are significant contributors of road fill to the stream system, negatively impacting downstream mussel beds.  The culverts will be replaced with bottomless arch culverts for improved stream function, fish/mussel movement, and reduced sediment load transport.

The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success. 

Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people. 

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.) 

CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED.