Barrel Springs Fish Passage
Project Description
The Barrel Springs Fish Passage project is focused on the restoration of Barrel Springs and Dry Creek stream habitat by removing one dam and replacing three culverts that impede fish passage. Two of the barriers are at imminent risk of failing and impairing habitat. The three culverts will be replaced with two bridges and one fish-passable culvert. All of this work is on private property.
The dam is approximately 13 feet tall, 36 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. The dam wall is sagging and cracking, with growing risk of dam failure. If this occurred, it would release 1600 cubic yards of fine sediment, which would significantly affect downstream habitat and water quality. This dam also blocks fish access to upstream habitat.
Barrel Springs dam.
Two of the three culverts are perched and falling. One of the culverts is failing, actively causing major downstream channel erosion and incision, and therefore impairing water quality. If this culvert fails, 500 cubic yards of sediment would be added to the stream, affecting water quality and downstream habitat. All three culverts are undersized and impeding fish passage upstream.
One of the three Barrel Springs culverts.
The project will remove the dam and culverts, and restore the channel by installing large woody material and replanting native riparian vegetation. This will provide fish passage and access to roughly 2 miles of thermal refuge and 1.12 acres of habitat. The primary species that will benefit from this project include Steelhead Trout, Coho, Chum, Chinook, and Cutthroat Trout.
Design
Skagit County partnered with American Rivers and contracted with Interfluve to complete the design of the dam removal and channel realignment. Interfluve contracted with Natural Systems Design for design of two culverts on Barrel Springs and one culvert on Dry Creek.
Construction
Skagit County completed removal of the dam in summer 2023 utilizing Department of Ecology, Rose Foundation, and American Rivers funding. Removal of the dam and restoration of the stream channel was completed by Interwest Construction Inc and cost $355,943.18. The removal of the dam immediately restored fish passage to Barrel Springs and restored an important flow source for Dry Creek during the summer months.
Construction on the three culverts is expected in 2025 pending funding.
Construction Site Photo Gallery
Project Funding
The project cost $270,000 to design. Skagit County received $25,000 from the Rose Foundation to assist with design. The project is estimated to cost $1,422,808 for construction and revegetation.
Skagit County was awarded $460,852.00 from the Department of Ecology and $153,625.45 from American Rivers to fund construction. The County was recently awarded funding from the Brian Abbot Fish Barrier Removal Board for replacement of the three culverts. This work is expected to occur in 2025.
 
Contact Information
Emily Derenne - Project Manager, Habitat Restoration Specialist
360-416-1449
emilyjd@co.skagit.wa.us
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