Culvert Replacement on Indian Creek East of Imbler; Temporary Road Closure of FSR 6205-050 Expected Sept. 18
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
IMBLER – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest plans to replace a culvert on Indian Creek on National Forest Service Road (FSR) 6205-050. The closure is located off of FSR 6205, which branches off FSR 62, 16 miles southeast of Imbler. The 6205-050 road will be closed to traffic starting Sept. 18. There is no full-size vehicle access from the opposite direction of FSR 6205-050 and roads beyond this closure point will be inaccessible to through-traffic during this closure period expected into mid-October.
La Grande Ranger District hydrologist explains the goal of this project and its importance as follows:
Indian Creek’s culvert is one of four culverts on the Wallowa-Whitman NF to have replacement structures designed by the region using Great American Outdoor Act funds, two of which to be implemented in 2024. It was part of a list of top ten NFS culverts in OR and WA that need to be replaced to meet fish and aquatic organism passage standards. Replacing the undersized arch with a new Aquatic Organism Passage design will reconnect 18.1 miles of stream habitat for Bull Trout and Snake River Steelhead (both listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act), as well as Redband Trout and other native aquatic species.
Aquatic Organism Passage structures allow for stream continuity. They provide aquatic and terrestrial species the ability to travel through the crossing the same as they would in a natural channel. And with the width of the channel at the crossing designed to continue as it naturally would, the transport of floodwater, sediment, and woody debris is accommodated far better than with much narrower, traditional culverts.
These upgrades are a key part of Forest Service conservation efforts and are expected to have various positive benefits, as described above.
Keep this closure of FSR 6205-050 in mind when planning travel in the area. Forest Service vehicles, construction vehicles, and excavation machinery are expected to be entering and leaving the highway. As always, drive safe if you are visiting the area.
For more information about this project and others, contact our La Grande District office at 541-962-8500.
