Facilitating the Passage of At-Risk Fish Species
A remote river canyon requires salmon passage remediation after a landslide blocks their path.
Overview
A massive landslide obstructed the migratory path of several wild salmon species, putting them at risk of extinction and causing significant economic impacts. Urgent and extensive mitigation efforts were necessary to restore safe passage before it was too late.
Key Considerations:
- 100 m tall 90° slopes.
- Worksite was located above and on the riverbank of Class 5 whitewater rapids.
- The highly sensitive and complex nature of the project involved rescue service and helicopter coordination.
Scope
The project required a comprehensive plan involving check scaling, rock bolting, slope meshing, and trim blasting. Additional techniques, including drilling, blasting, hydraulic rams, and airbagging, were utilized when facilitating fish passage remediation.
Method
GRW was exceptionally suited for this project due to our proven expertise in advanced rope access, a highly skilled team of geohazard mitigation technicians, a fleet of modern rock-moving, blasting, and drilling equipment, and our strong problem-solving capabilities.
The unpredictability of the initial landslide event, combined with the urgency to protect wildlife in an environment with difficult access and high risks, presented unique challenges. Extensive coordination among numerous stakeholders was required, alongside immediate deployment, highly technical rope access work, and navigating a complex, high-risk work environment. The scope of the project was dynamic, with many elements confirmed only upon arrival.
Results
GRW introduced innovative techniques for fish passage remediation, leveraging advanced rope access methods. Our efforts ensured the site was safe and established a clear migration route for spawning salmon. This critical work mitigated the risk of species extinction and avoided a potential $3 billion annual economic impact.
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When your project is high elevation, high risk, or both, you want the most experienced team on the job. Our seasoned technicians are ready to take on the most complex geohazard projects to keep your site and community safe.
