This culvert not only is a fish barrier, due to being perched, it's also a velocity barrier to trout and other fish species during various life stages. - FWS photo by Glenn Miller, Ashland FRO

The Ashland FRO and Ashland-Bayfield-Douglas-Iron Counties Land Conservation Department (ABDI) have completed the preliminary surveys on four fish passage projects. 

Road crossings surveyed were: 18 Mile Creek, Town of Grand View; Gin Creek, Town of Marengo,;Wildcat Creek, Town of Lincoln and Little Whittlesey Creek, Town of Barksdale. 

The crew used a Nikon Total Survey Station to plot the present location of the culvert to be replaced and this includes a topographic survey of the surrounding area.  This data is then downloaded into a ArcView file and a new design for the culvert is plotted. 

Using this program allows the designers to choose the appropriate grade and slope, depth for setting the culvert and designing of the slope around the culvert. 

A meeting with the appropriate town boards will be scheduled for January/February of 2007 to evaluate the proposed plans.  Construction will begin after water levels have subsided to summer low flows. 

All work performed will use Best Management Practices and will be permitted through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Army Corp of Engineers.