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Catherine Creek – City of Union Irrigation Intake Fish Passage Improvement


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 City of Union Diversion

Project Summary

The City of Union irrigation diversion structure is one of three structures modified in 1994 to improve adult chinook salmon access to upstream spawning grounds on Catherine Creek. In addition to hindering fish passage, the Union Intake Dam was at risk of structural failure.

Catherine Creek is a major salmon producing drainage in the Grande Ronde Basin and is designated as "critical habitat" for the endangered Snake River spring chinook salmon. Catherine Creek also provides habitat for summer steelhead and bull trout.

Project Actions

  • Construct a seven-weir, six-pool fish ladder to improve fish passage
  • Reconstruct the diversion structure

Project Partners

  • ODFW*
  • NMFS*
  • City of Union
  • Union Co. NRCS
  • OWHP
  • Union Co. SWCD
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • BPA
  • GRMW

* Project Leads

Project Objectives

  • Improve fish passage

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Project Pictures

City of Union Diversion Structure

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Prior to project, six foot drop at dam, fish ladder at left hindered fish passage, dam was structurally unsound

Prior to project, six-foot drop at dam, fish ladder at left hindered fish passage, dam was structurally unsound.

 After project implementation looking downstream. Rotary screw trap in foreground is used to collect juvenile Chinook.

After project implementation looking upstream. Rotary screw trap in foreground is used to collect juvenile chinook.

   
During construction of City of Union Intake structure and fish passage facility

During construction of City of Union intake structure and fish passage facility.
10 years after project implementation. CTUIR Catherine Creek Adult Chinook collection facility, completed in 2002, is visible on the left side of the picture.

Ten years after project implementation.  The CTUIR Catherine Creek Adult Chinook collection facility, completed in 2002, is visible on the left side of the picture.

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