DESCRIPTION
Deer Creek runs from Deer Lake to the East and into Saratoga Pass south of Clinton. There are concerns with lake flooding which is potentially due to undersized culverts that block and prevent downstream flow of water and debris. The outlet of the stream enters the marine environment from between two houses, through a concrete channel and then drops from an elevated height onto the beach. This outlet will need to be modified if fish passage is to be achieved. Island County Public Works Surface Stormwater has an outside-contracted assessment of upstream infrastructure restoration.
Deer Creek runs from Deer Lake to the East and into Saratoga Pass south of Clinton. The outlet of the stream enters the marine environment from between two houses, through a concrete channel and then drops from an elevated height onto the beach. This outlet will need to be modified if fish passage is to be achieved. This phase of project is feasibility study to investigate whether the fish barrier can be removed with the need to remove home(s), septic systems or displace families. According to page 65/94 of the Island County Fish Passage Barrier Inventory: Priority Area 2 report, Orr Creek (Deer Creek) has potential for spawning and rearing habitat for coho and searun cutthroat.
