Fay Creek Culvert Debris Removal

In January 2023, a major storm caused failure of an approximately 15-foot-diameter culvert carrying Fay Creek beneath Salmon Creek Road. The culvert failure resulted in collapse of the roadway and deposited portions of the failed culvert, roadway material and associated debris within the channel. In response to the emergency, Sonoma County installed a temporary one-lane Bailey bridge over Fay Creek to restore the roadway. Portions of the failed culvert and associated roadway debris remain in the channel and currently obstruct low-flow surface-water continuity and upstream and downstream passage by fish and other aquatic organisms. Sonoma County Public Infrastructure proposes to remove the failed culvert and associated debris from an approximately 50-foot-wide by 100-foot-long area of Fay Creek. Debris to be removed includes the 50' long culvert, concrete sandbags, asphalt, and other woody debris accumulating in this area obstructing fish passage. A concrete abutment from a previous bridge at this location may also be removed if unstable during debris removal. Debris will be removed by hand and equipment. Dewatering and fish relocation will be planned and performed by CDFW. Equipment staging will occur on Salmon Creek Road. Temporary equipment access will be constructed immediately adjacent to the temporary Bailey bridge to allow an excavator to enter the work area. Construction of the temporary access may require limited vegetation removal and grading of the creek bank and will be confined to the minimum area necessary for safe equipment access and operation. Heavy equipment will not enter the wetted channel, and no trees will be removed. Upon completion of debris removal, the temporary access area will be regarded to match adjacent topography, and will be stabilized using native seed, biodegradable erosion-control fabric, fiber rolls, or similar measures, as appropriate. Removed material will be transported to an appropriate off-site recycling or disposal facility. Work will occur during the dry season, and erosion-control and spill-prevention measures will be implemented. The project will restore fish passage, aquatic connectivity, and natural stream-channel function in Fay Creek.