A Bayfield County excavator installs fish friendly culvert on Four Mile Creek, in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. - Photo by Ted Koehler

After attending training in "Fish Friendly Road Crossing Design" co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office, Bayfield County Highway Commissioner Dale Brevak was eager to put the training to good use. 

In July his crew from the Bayfield County Wisconsin Highway Department replaced a culvert which was a barrier to fish on County Highway C, with one that is now passable for fish and other aquatic life. 

The project was located where Highway C crossed Four Mile Creek and has opened seven miles of stream to fish passage above the former barrier. 

Four Mile is an important stream for brook trout and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spent considerable time and effort up- and downstream of the culvert to restore habitat for this native species.  Restoring passage at the site has linked valuable spawning habitat for brook trout and other fish. 

The creek is a tributary to the Sioux River, which hosts impressive spring runs of steelhead trout and fall salmon runs from Lake Superior. 

Major funding for the project was obtained by the Ashland FRO through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Fish Habitat Restoration fund.   The Ashland FRO then partnered with Bayfield County and Wisconsin DNR to implement the project.

During construction Ted Koehler, Ashland FRO, supervised the fish friendly installation aspects of the project. 

Challenges arose during construction due to unexpected sandiness of the site and multiple springs boiling from the excavation area.  These were met with determination and the project was completed with a few on the spot adjustments. 

The resulting culvert is now a habitat link for brook trout and other aquatic species instead of the barrier it once was.