Case Study

Fish Passage / Fish Barrier Removal – Steep Sloped Channels

Living Waters Consultants, Inc. assisted the Friends of the Chicago River and EnCap with Fish Passage / Fish Barrier Removal Engineering Services. The pre-existing channel had a bridge crossing that inhibited fish passage from the Cal-Sag channel into Mill Creek. The downstream limestone-bed channel also contained additional significant additional fish passage impediments. LWC provided Final Engineering Services to remove the fish barrier, and to restore the stream channel to a natural, flowing condition. Services included Final Engineering Plans, Site Survey, Permitting, Construction Observation, and Site Evaluation. A unique and cost effective method was utilized to reduce construction costs and to facilitate a more simplified construction methodology. As part of the project, the Illinois DNR conducted fish surveys before and after the project construction phase. Photo Credits: One fish survey project photo was provided by Friends of the Chicago River. One post-construction photo was provided by EnCap, Inc.