Fisher Emergency Culvert Replacement

Post-construction view of the road through the new stream crossing.

Post-construction view of the road through the new stream crossing.

Overview

Spye General Engineering was hired by Sonoma Resource Conservation District (SRCD) to implement road upgrade treatments using funding provided by a grant from the Clean Water Act 319(h) through the State Water Resources Control Board. Using road designs provided by SRCD and based upon concepts by Pacific Watershed Associates, Steve Pye and his crew implemented an emergency culvert replacement at a crossing where the previous plastic culvert melted during the 2020 wildfires. Due to wet and muddy conditions, only tracked equipment was able to access the site, which was half a mile from the staging area. Steve Pye and crew member Eric brought the culvert and all rock in using a skid steer and excavator. The original culvert was replaced with a new steel pipe set at the base of fill to pass flows and debris with minimal maintenance.

Steve and Eric placing the new pipe.

Steve and Eric placing the new pipe.

Moving the pipe down the road to the failed crossing.

Moving the pipe down the road to the failed crossing.