WY-H13-02 Butte Creek Fish Passage Improvements

Butte Creek is west of Highway 101 just upstream of Hawk Creek's confluence with Neskowin Creek, 8 miles north of Lincoln City. Butte Creek has four primary crossings, the first of which is a tidegate (RM 0.5) and then three culvert crossings. The first culvert (RM 0.5) provides adequate fish passage. The second culvert has been identified in the Council’s culvert assessment as a velocity barrier. However, adult fish are passing and spawning as noted above. The Council will continue to monitor this culvert and plans to examine retrofit options in the future. The third culvert (fourth crossing) at RM 1.25 is a 54 inch round concrete pipe and is undersized. It creates a velocity and jump barrier for coho, winter steelhead and cutthoat in the system and it contributes fine sediment to the system where it is causing erosion on the downstream end. This culvert is recommended for replacement with a new bridge. Butte Creek is ranked the number one coho contributing tributary in the Neskowin Basin. Partners include landowner Tillamook County, neighbors, ODEQ, ODFW, OSU Sea Grant, US Forest Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service.