Project Titles:

• Repair Weir (FFS #R1PV)
• Repair C Desk Walkway (FFS #R1PR)

State: Washington

Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded two contracts totaling $123,139 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Northern Management Services (Sandpoint, Idaho), and Smith-Root, Inc. (Vancouver, Washington). These projects are expected to employ approximately eight workers.

Smith-Root, a fisheries conservation equipment and research company in Vancouver, Washington, will repair the electric fish weir system. The weir helps guide adult salmon into the hatchery from the Quilcene River and is in need of general maintenance and electrode replacement.

Northern Management Services, Inc. of Sandpoint, Idaho is the general contracting company charged with repairing the concrete headbox and walkway on C Deck at the Hatchery. The existing metal channel supporting the concrete headbox and wooden dam boards for nine raceways have eroded to the point that daylight can be seen through the metal, threatening the integrity of the structure. In addition, continued deterioration of the concrete supports threatens the integrity of the structure.

“The metal and concrete around the headbox have deteriorated to the point where it is not safe for employees or fish,” hatchery manager Ron Wong said. “The headbox repair, along with the repair of the electric fish weir, will allow us to continue reaching our yearly production goals safely and efficiently.”

Photos:

Workers repair and replace the electrical weir system.

Concrete deterioration and oxidation of the metal support beams inside the headbox.

Close-up of the deteriorating metal support beam.

Originally posted 11/23/2009