Beaver Creek Dam Fish Passage and Streamflow Restoration

During the 1915 construction of the dam for the La Grande Reservoir, fish passage was not a consideration. Installation of the dam and associated diversion structures created five barriers that inhibit access for aquatic species, namely Mid-Columbia steelhead and spring Chinook salmon, to approximately 12 miles of protected watershed. These facilities are located on USFS property; however, the City of La Grande owns and operates the facilities. The goal of this project is to remove fish passage barriers at five diversion structures, open approximately 12 miles of native habitat to aquatic species, and augment in-stream flows, while continuing to protect the City of La Grande’s drinking water source. The project will be completed in three phases: Phase I will address fish passage and screening on the main intake and upper diversions and fish passage at the dam; Phase II will address the two small intakes located on Cove and West Beaver Creeks; and Phase III will address fish screening at each intake. The work areas are shown on Figures 2A through 2E.