Fish Passage

Last updated on June 6, 2022

Road 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).

Iron River Fish Passage Project

This video introduces the work of the Fish Passage Program, highlighting the replacement of culverts at a stream crossing on the Iron River Forest Service Road with a concrete slab bridge that provides upstream access to habitat for coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.

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.

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.

Fish Passage Strategic Approach (PDF)

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.

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Fish Passage Program: Annual Reports

Fish Passage Program 2008-2017
2020/2021 Annual Report 2017/2018 Annual Report
2019/2020 Annual Report 2016/2017 Annual Report
2018/2019 Annual Report 2015/2016 Annual Report

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
- Protocol for Fish Passage Determination of Closed Bottom Structures (PDF) (2.8 MB)
- Field Assessment for Fish Passage Determination of Closed Bottom Structures (PDF) (722 KB)

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.