This project will replace an undersized and perched pipe culvert on Mill Creek, a tributary to Blackfoot Reservoir. Perched pipe culverts prevent aquatic wildlife from migrating freely. It will be replaced with a natural bottom box culvert resulting in spawning habitat access for Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Obsolete or poorly designed dams, culverts, stream crossings, and levees keep fish, and other aquatic species from moving freely to feed, migrate, and reproduce.  These challenges put fish populations at risk and undermine the health of the rivers.  

Quick Facts:

Project StatusComplete
Location ID, Caribou
NFPP Project Funding$60,000
Restoration TechniquesCulvert Replacement
Accomplishments1 Stream Mile Reopened
Project Partner LeadUS Forest Service, Caribou Targhee National Forest
Primary Species BenefitedYellowstone Cutthroat Trout


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 fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about 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. 

Mill Creek culvert
Mill Creek culvert after completion

Contact Information

Species

Programs

A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Improving fish passage is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for communities and...

Facilities

Underwater photo of bull trout and kokanee salmon at Gold Creek in Washington State.
We provide technical assistance, facilitation, and Service representation to the States of Idaho and Washington, Native American tribes, and other entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration, and management of the fishery resources in the Snake River basin and the State of Idaho...