Capitol Land Trust has completed a major project this week at the Darlin Creek Preserve!
A decades-old culvert crossing Darling Creek and 12 feet of fill have been removed and replaced with a new 60-foot bridge. The perched culvert essentially blocked fish passage. This project opens up the creek for spawning salmon to travel upstream.
Darlin Creek drains from Lake Lucinda and is part of the Black River Watershed and Chehalis River System and is vital to the coastal salmon run in this area. Acquired in 2016, this preserve features 312 acres including 100 acres of wetland, which will directly benefit from the culvert removal.
Work will continue on the site of the new bridge; restoring the creek bed that was damaged in the construction process. The Darlin Creek Preserve has been the target of replanting and scotch broom removal. There remains much work to be done as native plants will be reintroduced to restore the property.
Darlin Creek Preserve is open to the public and all are welcome to visit.
Funding for this project has come from the Washington Coastal Restoration Initiative through the Recreation and Conservation Office.
Click here to see more photos.
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