Carey Creek Fish Passage Project at 276th Ave SE

Project overview

This project will:

• Remove and replace the crossing at 276th Ave SE with a fully fish passable structure.
• Restore access to over 3 miles of high-quality fish habitat upstream of this project. Species affected include Chinook, coho, steelhead, and other aquatic species.
• Increase the ability for wildlife to safely cross under the roadway through the new, larger opening.
• Not increase current levels of flood and erosion risk to people, property and infrastructure.

The challenge

• A fishway was installed downstream of the existing culvert several decades ago to help fish make it upstream of 276th Ave SE. The fishway is now currently acting as a partial barrier to migratory fish like our local salmon species.
• The current crossing is a double culvert with baffles and a large concrete apron on the downstream end of the crossing.
• Over time, this structure has eroded a large scour pool at the downstream end of the fishway. This pool has left the entire crossing structure perched over the downstream creek.
• The culvert will be replaced with a new bridge crossing that will meet modern road, structural, and fish passage standards.

Project timeline

Preliminary Design – Complete
Final Design & Funding Target – 2026-2027
Construction Target – Summer, 2028 (contingent on construction funding)

Existing funders

• Brian Abbot Fish Barrier Removal Board
• King County Cooperative Watershed Management Grant (King County Flood Control District).
• King County Surface Water Management Fees

Project documents

For reports, engineering documents, or other additional project information, please contact the project manager, Alex Hallenius, at alex.hallenius@kingcounty.gov.