Across the landscape, undersized, aging and improperly placed road-stream crossings create barriers in our rivers, streams, and tidal wetlands. These structures fragment aquatic habitat and prevent or greatly reduce the ability of aquatic species to move freely to migrate, feed, and reproduce. These poorly designed structures are also more prone to clogging, causing flooding, and washing out in storms.  

Stream Smart road crossings are designed to let the stream flow naturally beneath them. This keeps the stream habitat healthier and allows fish and other aquatic organisms to pass through. These crossings also tend to last longer, reduce maintenance costs, and improve public safety. The goal of Stream Smart road crossings is to connect fish and wildlife habitat while protecting roads to improve infrastructure resiliency and public safety. 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), through programs such as the National Fish Passage Program, works with local communities to restore rivers and conserve our nation’s aquatic resources by removing or bypassing barriers. The Service has launched the Stream Smart training program so that communities and other partners can learn more about why and how to design and install Stream Smart crossings.  

WHAT IS STREAM SMART? 

Stream Smart is a training program and resource for anyone interested in planning, designing, or constructing road-stream crossings. The program was first launched in 2011 through Maine Audubon, in collaboration with the Service and other partners working in Maine. Numerous workshops and trainings have been offered since, leading to projects that have reconnected hundreds of miles of stream habitat in Maine for fish and wildlife. In collaboration with partner organizations, the Service has now developed Stream Smart trainings in other states across the northeast US.  

Students sitting at tables watching a presentation
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WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?  

The Service offers Stream Smart training to state and local resource and transportation agencies, conservation organizations, and other partners whose work may involve planning or constructing road-stream crossings, restoring connectivity to rivers for fish and other aquatic species, and improving resiliency of road-stream crossings to storms.

WHERE IS THE TRAINING OFFERED? 

See the events page to find a training near you.  

The Service offers the training in various locations across the northeast from Maine to West Virginia. We work with partner organizations to plan and implement the trainings, and we can work with you to develop and offer the Stream Smart training in a location near you.  

If you are interested in helping to lead a Stream Smart training in your area, please reach out to the contacts below. 

Table with gravel and layout mimicking a stream with people gathered around it
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WHAT WILL I LEARN?  

Stream Smart is a one-day course for agency staff, local municipalities, consultants, interested citizens, and other partners.  

Through presentations and stream model demonstrations, participants will learn about the fundamental principles of Stream Simulation Design (the ecosystem-based approach developed by the USDA Forest Service for designing and constructing road-stream crossings), including the advantages of better stream crossings to improve aquatic habitat connectivity and resilience of roads to storm flows. The course will provide presentations and discussions on the following:  

  • Introductory concepts in the value of stream smart road crossings, including economic, habitat, and ecological values, as well as problems posed by crossings as barriers to aquatic connectivity. 

  • Regulatory guidelines for the state where the workshop is held.  

  • Technical guidance on how to create stream smart crossings, including information on assessment techniques and design principles. 

  • Cost and benefits of stream smart crossings, including long term cost savings and benefits relative to increased risk of more frequent and intense storm flows. 

  • Use of stream table models to demonstrate stream processes, problems of stream crossing barriers, and advantages of stream smart crossings. 

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?  

Contacts:

Callie McMunigal (callie_mcmunigal@fws.gov), or Cathy Bozek (catherine_bozek@fws.gov) 

Contact Information

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...
Program
Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church,VA

Facilities

Biologists holds an adult American Shad over a tank of water.
Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to restore migratory fish and other aquatic species, and their habitats in the waterways of Maryland and surrounding states. We work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, coastal waters of Maryland and Delaware, and other freshwater streams of the...
Conservation Office
Annapolis,MD
Highland Dam Removal Site on the West Fork River in West Virginia
Appalachian Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Appalachian Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works in partnership with others to restore fish and wildlife populations and their habitats throughout the central Appalachians.  
Conservation Office
White Sulphur Springs,WV
Biologist holds live Atlantic sturgeon
Virginia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to protect, restore, and enhance migratory and inland resident fishes in the rivers of Virginia, and to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species. We also work with partners and landowners to restore aquatic connectivity, remove...
Conservation Office
Charles City,VA