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- Huge Creek at 144th Street NW
Huge Creek at 144th Street NW
About the Project
The 144th Street SW Huge Creek crossing is located approximately 1,000 feet upstream of the confluence with Minter Creek and approximately 2.25 miles upstream of Henderson Bay.
The existing roadway crossing consists of an 18-foot-wide (across stream channel) by 12-foot-long (along stream channel) full span bridge. Approximately 15 feet downstream of the bridge is a United States Geological Survey (USGS) metal weir.
USGS reported that the weir was originally installed in 1979 to support their stream gauge just upstream of the bridge. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has identified the approximately 1-foot water surface drop that results from the weir as a partial fish barrier.
Removal of the barrier has potential of opening up approximately 13 miles of habitat for pink, chum, chinook, coho, steelhead, searun cutthroat, and resident trout.
Background
Replacing fish barriers with fish passable structures is a priority to Pierce County. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently replaced a culvert downstream on Minter Creek under state Route 302.
Removal of the fish passable structure at 144th Street NW will continue to tie together the upstream reaches of Huge Creek with fish habitat. We continue to work with other local jurisdictions, tribal governments, and stakeholders to improve fish habitat and spawning area across the county.
Project Location
The project location is on 144th Street NW, about three quarters of a mile west of the 360 Trails.