University of Washington Big Beef Creek

In 2008, a flood washed away a section of the sub-grade of the only vehicular access roadway to the University of Washington’s Big Beef Creek Fisheries Research Facility near Seabeck, Washington. It also exposed utilities and relocated ecology blocks and a portion of an existing culvert. The damaged culvert was upstream of an experimental spawning channel associated with Big Beef Creek, which provides exceptional spawning and rearing habitat for salmon. The flood also damaged approximately 40 feet of an existing levee (that serves as a well access road) and exposed utilities below the levee.

The project was intended to restore the roads and culvert to their original conditions. RH2 designed the necessary repairs as a short-term solution to the flood damage under an Emergency Hydraulic Project Approval from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The relocated culvert was returned to its original location. The roadway elevation was restored with approved fill and crushed rock material. Permits obtained on an emergency basis include a Site Development Activity Permit from Kitsap County. RH2 obtained exemptions from a Shoreline Substantial Development permit and the SEPA process, also through Kitsap County.

Following project approvals, the short-term repair was completed in early 2010.

Wash Out at Main Access Road Above Artificial Spawning Channel

Part of the Vehicular Access Road Affected by the Landslide