Engineering Seamless Passages for Aquatic Ecosystems.
Fish passage and aquatic organism connectivity is one of the most critical aspects of river restoration. Fish have an amazing ability to find habitat once they have access and our fish passage designs strive for volitional fish passage at all flows. Whether it’s a fish ladder, a diversion screen, or a stream simulation culvert, our designs are robust and able to accommodate all species.
Relevant Services
- Alternatives development and analysis
- Conceptual design through final design
- Diversion improvement alternatives analysis
- Feasibility assessment and cost estimating
- Fish ladder analysis, design, and permitting
- Fish passage culvert design
- Fish screen analysis and design support
- Fish screen and diversion design
- Geomorphic assessment and habitat evaluation
- Hydraulic modeling and fish passage analysis
- Monitoring and remote sensing with drones
- Permitting Plan Set and Basis of Design Report
- Project Presentations and Meetings
- Topographic and bathymetric surveys
Project Spotlights
Fish Passage
Restoring Pathways: Enhancing Fish Passage in Okanogan River Tributaries
Nestled in the rugged landscapes of the eastern Cascades in Washington, several tributaries of the Okanogan River, including Loup Loup Creek, have long been obstructed by natural barriers that prevent steelhead fish from reaching upstream spawning grounds. Recognizing the critical need for fish passage restoration, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation enlisted the expertise of River Design Group (RDG)* to transform these barriers into gateways for fish passage. This habitat restoration project aimed to open new spawning habitats for the federally listed summer steelhead, therefore ensuring their survival and contributing to the ecological health of the region.
Fish Passage
Upper Clark Fork River Diversions
River Design Group, now part of SWCA, is working with the Clark Fork Coalition, Trout Unlimited and the State of Montana to evaluate fish screen options and irrigation diversion improvements at several sites in the upper Clark Fork River basin. These projects are designed to enhance survival of native fish species via installation of fish screens and improvement of fish passage through the affected reaches. To date, RDG has completed designs for ten diversions and installed five fish screens
Meet The Experts
