Fish Passage
Last updated on June 6, 2022Road crossings on fish streams can be barriers to movement of juvenile and adult fish. Free movement of all life stages is important as it allows access to the appropriate habitat for rearing and spawning. The greatest numbers of fish passage problems identified to date in British Columbia are associated with closed bottom structures (culverts).
Fish Passage Guidance
The federal and provincial government, along with the forest industry, developed the following guidance document to help plan, prescribe and implement sound fish-stream crossing practices associated with road infrastructure in B.C. The Fish-Stream Crossing Guidebook is intended to improve fish passage outcomes at new crossings and restorations.
- Fish-Stream Crossing Guidebook (PDF)
- Joint Steering Committee Fish Passage/Stream Crossings Communication Letter (PDF)
Strategic Approach
Government has developed a strategic approach for remediating barriers to fish passage, from initial assessments of crossings, to the final design and installation of new structures. Improving fish passage involves determining highest priority watersheds and within those watersheds, setting priorities for restoration.
Program Effectiveness
Since the Fish Passage program's inception in 2007, more than 150 stream crossings have been remediated, providing renewed access to more than 750 km of fish habitat.
Fish Passage Program: Annual Reports
Background
Presentations and Papers:
- Assessing Fish Passage at Culverts - Richard Thompson | Presentation (PPT) (9 MB) | Paper (PDF) (417 KB)
- Habitat Modelling and Culvert Assessments - Craig Mount | Presentation (PDF) (11 MB) | Paper (PDF) (464 KB)
- Towards Restoring Fish Habitat Connectivity in BC (PDF) (660KB)
Training
- Field Assessment Methodology for Determining Fish Passage at Culvert Sites - Online Training
- Note: March 2021 Due to the expiration of Adobe Flash, this content is currently being updated. Please check back shortly.
- Fish Passage Poster (JPG) (3.5 MB)
- Field Assessment of Fish Passage Determination of Closed Bottom Structures Document (PDF) (1.35MB)
- Training Presentations for Culvert Assessment Methodology
References - Design and Construction
Note: Additional information on construction and maintenance of Forest Service Roads and stream crossings can be found at: Resource road engineering, publications and permits.
- Fish Passage Assessment at Culverted Sites: Rapid Field Measurements to Determine the Likelihood of a Barrier to Fish Passage (PDF) (2.1Mb)
- Stream Simulation: Planning and Design for Closed-Bottom Structures for Fish Streams (PDF) (3.12 MB)
- Streambed Simulation: Fish Management, Water Control, and Culvert Installation for Closed-Bottom Stream Crossings (PDF) (559 KB)
- Streambed Simulation: Streambed Construction, Infill Methods, and Rewatering for Closed-Bottom Stream Crossings (PDF) (574 KB)
- Streambed Simulation: Monitoring and Maintaining a Fish-Friendly Culvert Crossing (PDF) (2.93 MB)
- Guidance to C&E Program staff and delegated decision makers on interpreting the words “material adverse effect” and “material adverse impact (PDF) (190 KB)
- Fish Passage Activity Engineering Standards (PDF) (507 KB)
- FLNRORD Bridge Design Standards, Manuals and Guidelines (FLNRORD Forest Road Constructions Standards webpage)
- Guidelines for Professional Services in the Forest Sector – Crossings (PDF) (.4 MB) (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists)
- Forest Practices Board Report: Fish Passage at Stream Crossings
References - Restoration
Case Studies
- US FishXing – US website with general information and case studies
- FP Innovations (FERIC) Case Studies (posted with permission from FERIC):
- Installation of an embedded pipe culvert: Hotfish Creek (PDF) (259 KB)
- Installation of an embedded pipe culvert: Stuart Lake tributary (PDF) (216 KB)
- Closed-bottom corrugated-steel embedded culverts in British Columbia: overview of twelve sites (PDF) (503 KB)
- Installation of an embedded pipe culvert: Lewis Lake tributary (PDF) (244 KB)
- Closed-bottom corrugated-steel embedded culverts in British Columbia: overview of seven sites (PDF) (378 KB)
- Replacing wooden-box culverts with aluminum arch culverts: two case studies (PDF) (339 KB)
- Installation of a structural-plate corrugated-steel round culvert along a fish-bearing stream in Alberta (PDF) (399 KB)
Work Timing
Working during regional timing windows minimizes risk to fish and wildlife species .
For salmon species not listed, please contact the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada.
Partners
For additional fish passage multimedia, software and case studies, please visit: