Currently Omak Creek at the Mission Falls site (River Mile 5.1) continues to be a fish passage barrier due to the rock debris from an old railroad grade and cribbing that has slumped into the stream. The rock debris continues to pose a fish passage barrier, particularly during low flow conditions in Omak Creek. Colville Tribes will be working with the NRCS on Phase lV to remove or reconfigure the debris in order to allow for fish passage. NRCS Engineers have already conducted site visits, quantified materials, and have provided engineering designs for the project site. The NRCS engineered designs will provide final estimates of materials to be removed as well as cost estimates for the work. Additional site visits will be conducted with Colville Fish & Wildlife, NRCS staff, and BPA staff to review the project scope and any additional improvements needed at the site. A subcontract will be awarded for the construction including the rock removal and boulder demolition.


At River Mile 5.1 Omak Creek flows through a 1/8-mile deep narrow canyon with cascade falls. In the 1920s a narrow gauge railroad was built and was routed through the canyon by cutting into the canyon wall. Material excavated was essentially deposited throughout the gorge creating an impediment to migration of steelhead particularly at the lowermost reach of the falls. In 1998 over 28,000 square yards of boulders were removed by crane from this gorge resulting in accessibility of 17 miles of Omak Creek to migrating steelhead. The first 3 phases of this project has been completed. Phase I material (rock & rubble) were removed. Phase II install three instream structures to increase pool depth for fish to migrate over rock outcropping. Phase III remove rock and possibly install an instream structure to increase fish migration conditions. A comprehensive barrier assessment will be completed by NRCS engineers that will help develop a revised plan to remove remaining barriers within the falls. This will allow passage to an additional twently miles of habitat in the Omak Creek Watershed. Over 6 barriers have been replaced on Omak Creek since 1995. At that time Surveys indicated zero reproduction of anadromouse O. mykiss in Omak Creek and in 2008 approximately 6,500 juveniles were examined.