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Flexi Baffle FAQs – Improve Fish Passage Through Culverts

Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Flexi Baffle and how it can be used to improve fish passage in your culvert. These Frequently Asked Questions are intended to address many questions we routinely receive. The first section below provided information on how the Flexi Baffle works to improve fish passage, what it is made from and some examples of existing installations. The section section provided information on the design and installation of Flexi Baffles. If you have any other questions or comments regarding the Flexi Baffle or its use at your project, just click here to contact us!

1.  General Information on the Flexi Baffle

What is a Flexi Baffle?

A Flexi Baffle is a flexible weir placed in culverts to enhance fish passage. It reduces water speed, increases water depth, and provides resting spots for fish and other aquatic life. The baffle’s flexible design ensures that debris and water can pass through safely during high flows. This maintains the culvert’s hydraulic capacity and minimizes blockages by allowing debris to move through easily.

Flexi Baffles can turn your culvert into a fish ladder!

How do Flexi Baffles help fish passage?

Flexible baffles help fish and other aquatic organisms pass through culverts by:

  • Reducing water velocity, making it easier for aquatic organisms to swim through culverts.
  • Creating resting areas, allowing fish to conserve energy.
  • Mimicking natural stream conditions, improving habitat quality inside culverts.

What aquatic species would benefit from the Flexi Baffle?

Flexi Baffles improve conditions for aquatic organisms in your culvert. Culverts are usually built to move water efficiently, which can create fast water currents and shallow depths that hinder movement of aquatic organisms. Flexi Baffles address this by adding complexity to the culvert’s interior, promoting more natural flow patterns. By replicating natural stream conditions around the culvert, they enable local aquatic species—like fish, eels, lamprey, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates—to navigate through it successfully.

What are the benefits of the Flexi Baffle versus solid baffles?

  • Minimal Flow Restrictions: They flex during high flows to preserve culvert capacity, unlike rigid baffles that reduce culvert capacity. 
  • Reduced Debris Accumulation: Their flexibility allows debris to pass through, avoiding clogs that are common with solid baffles. 
  • Easier Installation: Flexi Baffles require no major culvert changes, while concrete or metal baffles need extensive retrofitting and dewatering. 
  • Cost-Effective: Lower costs for materials and transport, and ease of installation make them more affordable than heavy, rigid options. 
  • Adaptability: They can be cut and shaped to fit various culverts, unlike metal or concrete baffles that need precise pre-fabrication.
  • Durability – able to withstand impacts from debris or high flows

What is the cost of Flexi Baffles as compared to other fish passage solutions?

Installing Flexi Baffles often costs less than 1% of what it takes to remove or replace a culvert. Disturbance to soils and traffic disruptions are avoided. While culvert removal or replacement is the most effective way to enhance fish passage, it’s often impractical due to high costs or disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. Flexi Baffles provide a simple, low-cost alternative for improving passage through existing culverts.

What is the cost of Flexi Baffle as compared to solid baffles?

Flexi Baffles are less expensive than solid baffles.  In addition, they are much easier to install than solid baffles, making the Flexi Baffle significantly less costly.

What are Flexi Baffles made of?

Flex Baffles are made from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a durable, non-toxic synthetic rubber known for its excellent resistance to abrasion, temperature extremes, UV exposure, ozone, aging, weathering, acids, and many chemicals.  Common uses of EDPM include potable water collection systems, medical devices and automotive door and window seals. 

How long are Flexi Baffles designed to last?

Flexi Baffles are a long-term solution for fish passage.  We have Flexi Baffles that are performing well after 15 years.  We suggest a lifetime of 10-years for planning purposes.  Regular inspections ensure continued effectiveness. 

Can Flexi Baffles be used in all types of culverts?

Yes, Flexi Baffles are suitable for circular, box, and arch culverts.  They can be installed in culverts made of plastic, concrete and metal. 

Where have Flexi Baffles been installed?

Originally developed in New Zealand, Flexi Baffles now number in the thousands worldwide, with installations across Australia, Europe, and North America—currently spanning 15 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces, with more added regularly.

Where are Flexi Baffles manufactured?

Flexi Baffles are manufactured in the United States using all American-sourced materials.

Can Flexi Baffles withstand extreme temperatures?

Yes, EPDM rubber withstands a wide temperature range, remaining flexible in cold conditions and resistant to heat up to 150°C (302°F).

Do Flexi Baffles create microplastics?

No, Flexi Baffles are made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber, not plastic. This material is non-toxic, 100% recyclable, and highly resistant to degradation.

Do Flex Baffles contain chemicals toxic to fish, such as 6PPD-quinone?

No, Flex Baffles are made from EPDM, a durable, non-toxic synthetic rubber. They do not contain harmful chemicals like 6PPD-quinone, which has been identified as toxic to fish. 

What are the effects of Flexi Baffles on the hydraulic capacity of culverts?

Flexi Baffles installed in a culvert can increase Manning’s “n”-value by about 10% to 30% compared to standard pipe. 

  • For a corrugated metal pipe, a conservative recommendation would be n=0.030
  • For a smooth surface pipe such as concrete or HDPE, a conservative recommendation would be n=0.020

Do Flexi Baffles catch debris?

The Flexi Baffles are designed to “bend over” in high flows to help preserve the hydraulic capacity of your culvert. The flexible design allows debris to pass through the culvert unimpeded. Once the water flow declines after a freshet, the baffle reorients and creates a fish ladder in your culvert.

What is the experience of others using Flexi Baffles for fish passage?

Many users have successfully installed Flexi Baffles to enhance fish passage. Click on the pictures below to watch videos demonstrating real-world installations.

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council in Portland, Oregon installed the first Flexi Baffles in North America in 2018.  They have since installed Flexi Baffles at two more sites.  Click on the image to watch a short video on this project.

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The New York Department of Environmental Conservation installed Flexi Baffles in 2018 in a box culvert in Cook’s Brook located in the Town of Colchester, Delaware County.  Click on the image to watch a short video on this project.

The City of Ketchikan, Alaska installed Flexi Baffles in a large culvert in 2024. Fish started moving into the culvert within two hours after it was watered up! Their consultant made a video of the installation. Click on the image to watch a short video on this project.

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The City of Surrey, British Columbia has installed Flexi Baffles at several sites throughout the City.  One Flexi Baffle installation resulted in Pacific salmon returning to a watershed for the first time in over 70 years.  Click on the image to watch a short video from the City of Surrey on the Flexi Baffle installation on Bon Accord Creek.

Do I need a permit to install Flexi Baffles?

Permit requirements vary by location and regulatory authority. Check with local environmental agencies for guidelines.

How do I order Flexi Baffles?

Please click here and we can help develop a proposed Flexi Baffle configuration for your fish passage project!

2.  Design & Installation of the Flexi Baffle

How are Flexi Baffles installed in culverts?

  • In corrugated metal or HDPE plastic culverts, Flexi Baffles are installed using self-tapping screws.
  • In concrete culverts, they are installed with wedge anchors.
  • We recommend using stainless steel hardware for durability and to reduce corrosion.
  • Click here for Flexi Baffle installation instructions.

Does installing Flexi Baffles damage a culvert?

No.  We recommend you use wedge anchors that do not completely penetrate through the concrete culvert.   We have no reported damage to culverts in the thousands of Flexi Baffles installations around the world. 

Do I have to dewater the culvert to install the Flexi Baffles?

No, you do not need to dewater the culvert.  Most often, Flexi Baffles can be installed with water in the culvert using proper tools such as extensions on drills.

What size Flexi Baffles should I use?

The appropriate size depends on culvert dimensions and the target fish species. Click here for Flexi Baffle size and spacing recommendations or contact us for guidance.

What Flexi Baffle spacing do you recommend?

Spacing depends on culvert gradient and target fish species. Click here for spacing guidelines or contact us for assistance.

What are the maintenance requirements for Flexi Baffles?

Regular inspections to ensure baffles remain secure.

Need more information or assistance?

We hope we answered most of your questions. For more information, please contact us at:

SSA Environmental

Email Address: shane@ssaenvironmental.com

Telephone: +1 360 601-2391

Also, visit our website at: https://ssaenvironmental.com/flexi-baffle/

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Advocating for Cost-Effective Fish Passage Solutions in Oregon

Addressing a Critical Issue for Fish Migration

Across Oregon, thousands of culverts block fish migration, creating significant obstacles for species like salmon, trout, and Pacific lamprey. Many of these outdated culverts create high water velocities, shallow depths, and steep drop-offs, making it nearly impossible for fish to move upstream to their spawning habitats.

Oregon has made great strides in fish passage restoration, but one of the biggest challenges remains: cost. Replacing a culvert with a bridge or an open-bottom structure often costs millions of dollars, making it financially impossible to restore all blocked waterways.

As a fisheries biologist with over 30 years of experience, I have seen firsthand how cost-effective solutions can make an immediate impact. This is why I am submitting comments to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Fish Passage Task Force, advocating for the implementation of Flexi Baffles—a proven, affordable alternative for fish passage restoration.

What Are Flexi Baffles?

Flexi Baffles are an innovative solution designed to improve fish passage through culverts by reducing water velocity and increasing depth. Unlike traditional rigid baffles (which are often clogged with debris), Flexi Baffles bend under high flow conditions, allowing debris to pass while maintaining a series of pools and steps that help fish migrate upstream.

✅ Reduces water velocity for easier fish passage
✅ Increases water depth in culverts
✅ Does not clog with debris like solid baffles
✅ Low-cost alternative to culvert replacement
✅ Can be installed quickly with minimal maintenance

Successful Implementations of Flexi Baffles

Flexi Baffles have been successfully installed in multiple locations across North America, New Zealand, and Europe, improving fish passage for a variety of species.

Schoenbar Creek, Ketchikan, Alaska

  • A 475-foot culvert was resurfaced with concrete and retrofitted with 81 Flexi Baffles, restoring fish passage.
  • Material cost: $35,000—a fraction of full replacement costs.

Bon Accord Creek, Surrey, BC

  • A 500-foot-long concrete channel, previously impassable for 70 years, was restored using 60 Flexi Baffles, reopening 2.5 km of upstream habitat.
  • Material cost: $18,700, installed in just four days.

Reservoir Creek, Nelson, New Zealand

  • A 136-meter culvert was retrofitted with Flexi Baffles, allowing inanga and redfin bully to pass upstream for the first time.

Comparing Costs: Flexi Baffles vs. Culvert Replacement

One of the biggest barriers to fish passage restoration is the high cost of culvert replacement. A typical culvert replacement project can cost anywhere from $1 million to $20 million, depending on location, permitting, and infrastructure needs.

Real-World Cost Comparisons:

ProjectCulvert Replacement CostFlexi Baffle Retrofit Cost
Harris Creek, WA$5,319,000$8,900 + one-day labor
Watercress Creek, WA$1,878,000$4,700 + two-day labor

💰 In both cases, Flexi Baffles saved over 99% of the cost compared to full culvert replacement!

Why Oregon Needs to Act Now

According to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory, there are over 775,000 road-related aquatic barriers in the Pacific Northwest, with tens of thousands of culverts restricting fish migration in Oregon alone.

Yet, fewer than 0.5% of these barriers have been removed or mitigated due to funding limitations and infrastructure constraints.

We need cost-effective, practical solutions that can be deployed quickly. Flexi Baffles provide exactly that.

My Recommendations to the ODFW Fish Passage Task Force

I am urging the ODFW Fish Passage Task Force to:

1️⃣ Pilot Flexi Baffle installations in high-priority culverts across Oregon.
2️⃣ Incorporate Flexi Baffles into Oregon’s fish passage guidelines as a cost-effective alternative to full culvert replacement.
3️⃣ Work with municipalities and transportation agencies to integrate low-cost fish passage retrofits into infrastructure planning.

By taking proactive steps now, we can restore critical fish migration pathways, support Oregon’s salmon and lamprey recovery efforts, and make fiscally responsible investments in our aquatic ecosystems.

Join the Conversation!

I invite fellow biologists, conservationists, policymakers, and anyone passionate about fish passage solutions to join this discussion. Let’s work together to implement cost-effective strategies that truly make a difference.

👉 Have experience with fish passage restoration? Leave a comment below!
👉 Interested in learning more about Flexi Baffles? Let’s connect!

#FishPassage #SustainableConservation #FlexiBaffle #ODFW #CulvertRetrofit #SalmonRecovery #AquaticOrganismPassage

Let’s Connect!
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How we Manage Fish Passage Barriers on a Watershed Scale

Fish passage barriers are frequently managed on a case-by-case basis. Initially, barriers are identified, characterized, and then subjected to a prioritization scheme. The correction of these barriers typically occurs when funds become available. However, the sheer volume of projects renders this approach impractical. In response to this challenge, our colleagues in New Zealand have pioneered a program aimed at managing fish passage barriers at a watershed scale.

The Structures in Waterways management program, developed by ATS Environmental, integrates a field collection component with a desktop management interface, enabling users to collect and manage data on fish passage barriers. This program operates using commonly utilized GIS and database management software, facilitating seamless integration with existing culvert management programs. Furthermore, it allows users to plan, estimate costs for barrier solutions, and generate reports on the status of barriers at a watershed scale.

The initial step involves uploading existing fish passage barrier information into the database. Newly identified and characterized structures are automatically uploaded to the database through a cloud connection using a field app. Following this, algorithms are employed to prioritize and sort the barriers within the list. The desktop dashboard then provides users with four summary displays, presenting the number, location, and status of the barriers.

Finally, users have the capability to generate reports that estimate costs and schedule barrier remediation. These reports serve as valuable tools for planning future actions or reporting progress to higher levels of authority, showcasing the efforts undertaken to enhance fish passage on a watershed scale.

How We Use the Structures in Waterways Database to Manage Fish Passage Barriers in New Zealand

Here is a summary video of how the Structures in Waterways program is used in New Zealand to manage fish passage barriers on a watershed basis.

Structures in Waterways Field Application

These are three screen shots demonstrating the Structures in Waterways field app. The user collects the necessary information which is then automatically uploaded to the desktop application.

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Structures in Waterways Desktop Application

This summary screen allows the user to see the number and status of all the fish passage barriers in a geographic area.

This screens allows the user to see the location and status of all the fish passage barriers in a geographic area.

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This screen allows the user to graphically see the status and progression of fish passage barrier assessment and remediation.

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This screens allows the user to see the particulars of fish passage barreriers on a watershed scale.

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Restoring Nature’s Balance: Coho Salmon Return to Bon Accord Creek in Surrey, British Columbia

Embarking on a project that spans over three decades in my career as a fisheries biologist, I recently experienced one of the most gratifying accomplishments of my journey. After almost 70 years, coho salmon have finally regained access to their spawning habitat in Bon Accord Creek, Surrey, British Columbia.

This achievement was no small feat. Nearly seven decades ago, a railroad company redirected Bon Accord Creek through a 500-foot-long concrete flume, creating a barrier that prevented coho salmon from reaching approximately 2.5 kilometers of vital spawning grounds. Despite commendable efforts by the City of Surrey to enhance upstream salmon habitats, the costs estimated to remove the concrete flume and stabilize the banks were staggering, totaling in the millions of dollars. These costs hindered progress and obstructed the salmon’s migratory path.

To address this challenge, we collaborated closely with the City’s environmental staff, evaluating various solutions. The breakthrough came with the innovative Flexi Baffle system. Working alongside a dedicated group of student volunteers, we strategically installed sixty 2-meter-long Flexi Baffles at intervals along the length of the flume. This installation marked a milestone as the largest of its kind in North America.

The impact was immediate and exhilarating! Following the installation and the onset of significant November rainfall, an adult coho salmon was sighted navigating the native channel above the flume. This marked a monumental success and a testament to the effectiveness of our solution.

To celebrate this milestone, the City held a dedication ceremony on November 24th. The presence and support of Surrey’s Mayor, Council Members, and several Legislative Assembly Ministers underscored the significance of this achievement. The project received well-deserved attention in various newspapers and reports.

This victory, however, is just the beginning of a new chapter. Moving forward, the City is committed to closely monitoring the success of fish passage through Bon Accord Creek, ensuring the sustained return of coho salmon to their spawning grounds.

This triumph serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and perseverance in the realm of environmental conservation. It showcases how collective efforts can restore the balance of ecosystems, fostering the return of vital species like the coho salmon to their natural habitats.

The revival of Bon Accord Creek stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for similar conservation efforts worldwide, reflecting our dedication to preserving and revitalizing the natural world we share. 🌎🐟 #SalmonRevival #EnvironmentalSuccess #BonAccordCreekRestoration

First Coho Salmon in Bon Accord in 70 years.
https://ssaenvironmental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231123_175954000_iOS.mov
Mayor of Surey makes comments at
the Bon Accord Creek Fish Passage Dedication
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Salmon are able to access spawning habitat in Bon Accord Creek for the first time in almost 70 years.

Another successful Flexi Baffle installation. We worked with the City of Surrey, B.C. and students with the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) to implement the largest culvert rehabilitation project in North America. A large concrete flume on the Bon Accord Creek, a tributary of the lower Fraser River, has blocked salmon from accessing important salmon spawning habitat for many decades. We worked with City staff to develop a Flexi Baffle installation plan to increase water depth and slow water velocity to create conditions much more conducive to salmon passage.

Below are two strores from local media on the project.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2023/11/25/salmon-return-to-surrey-creek-for-first-time-in-70-years/: Salmon are able to access spawning habitat in Bon Accord Creek for the first time in almost 70 years. https://globalnews.ca/video/10114719/crucial-salmon-passage-restored-in-surrey/: Salmon are able to access spawning habitat in Bon Accord Creek for the first time in almost 70 years.
https://globalnews.ca/video/10114719/crucial-salmon-passage-restored-in-surrey/
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Johnson Creek Watershed Council Success in North Fork of Johnson Creek

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) developed the North Fork Open Migration project conceived as a multi-partner collaboration aimed at eliminating all seven barriers to fish passage in the North Fork of Johnson Creek, near Gresham Oregon. The JCWC worked with a variety of entities to remove, replace and/or repair culverts that were a barrier to fish passage.

In 2018, JCWC made history becoming the first practitioner in North America to utilize the Flexi Baffle culvert retrofit technology to improve fish passage through culverts that are not planned to be replaced. The Flexi Baffle, developed by ATS Environmental from New Zealand creates step pools in a culvert to improve fish passage. Water velocities are reduced, and water depth increased, all to improve fish passage. ATS began working with their partner SSA Environmental to bring their unique fish passage technologies to North America. Since that time, JCWC has installed Flexi Baffles in two additional culverts.

This story describes the work and success of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council in improving fish passage.

North Fork Open Migration- One step closer!
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Municipal Water Leader interview with Shane Scott on the Flexi Baffle

Reporters with the Municipal Water Leader magazine interviewed Shane Scott, owner of SSA Environmental, on his experience with the Flexi Baffle. The Flexi baffle is a flexible weir that is installed in culverts to improve fish passage. In this interview they discuss the history of the Flexi Baffle, some current applications and the future of SSA Environmental.

Municipal-Water-Leader-10-9-23-SSA-Env-5

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Salmon Habitat Restoration Program Students at Work!

Another successful Flexi Baffle installation. We worked with the City of Surrey, B.C. and students with the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) to implement the largest culvert rehabilitation project in North America. A large concrete flume on the Bon Accord Creek, a tributary of the lower Fraser River, has blocked salmon from accessing important salmon spawning habitat for many decades. We worked with City staff to develop a Flexi Baffle installation plan to increase water depth and slow water velocity to create conditions much more conducive to salmon passage.

Bon Accord Creek before Flexi Baffle Installation

SSA Environmental staff then worked to train SHaRP students and project managers to install Flexi Baffles at predetermined intervals through the flume. Students isolated the project area with barrier nets. They then installed Flexi Baffles using concrete drills and wedge anchors.

Students encountered masses of blackberry briars and tough access conditions, but they persevered. And the results speak for themselves!

Students will now monitor fish passage this fall as salmon begin their spawning migration.

Here are the Flexi Baffles after a significant rain event. Note the resting areas between each Flexi Baffle.

https://ssaenvironmental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bon-Accord-Creek-10-18-23-3.mov
Note resting bools between each Flexi Baffle.
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Flexi Baffle Installation in Washington State

The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is a community-based, non-profit organization focused on reversing the trend of declining salmon runs in Whatcom County in Washington State. The NSEA works to enhance river and riparian habitat to support salmon recovery. They also work to educate people of all ages on how to provide Pacific salmon and steelhead with the best chance at survival.

We were contacted by the NSEA to develop a Flexi Baffle installation in a large box culvert on Terrell Creek, a tributary to Birch Bay on the Northern Puget Sound. The purpose of the project was to improve passage conditions for Pacific salmon migrating to their spawning grounds. This video documents the installation of the Flexi Baffles by NSEA staff.

https://ssaenvironmental.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NSEA_TerrelCreek.mp4
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Exciting Development in the Science of Improving Fish Passage Through Culverts

The Fish Passage Action Team is an international coalition of people working to improve fish passage through road culverts and other conveyances. We have developed a variety of systems to improve the hydraulics in culverts and other conveyances to create better passage conditions for a variety of fishes and other aquatic organisms.

We recently began developing Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models to demonstrate the effects if the Flexi Baffle on hydrology of a culvert. We have developed baseline CFD models to assess the spacing and configuration of Flexi Baffles to create the conditions to meet various fish passage standards such as water depth and velocity.

We can now also provide an interested party an evaluation of your specific project site. We can use the actual dimensions, configuration and expected flows through your culvert, and we can develop a recommended Flexi Baffle installation. We can also provide the CFD modeling results that demonstrate that your Flexi Baffle installation is meeting the intended fish passage conditions. The link below is a Fish Passage Action Team newsletter on the first CFD model outputs.

https://mailchi.mp/bd0b1ef0f5e3/using-powerful-computer-modelling-cfd-to-understand-complex-flows?e=c50b522a62

CDF Model Outputs for the Flexi Baffle Installed in a Culvert

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Researchers Evaluate the Flexi Baffle to Improve Fish Passage through a Culvert in New York State

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is working in cooperation with Trout Unlimited to study fish passage through a perched culvert within the Beaver Kill drainage in Delaware County. DEC staff installed Flexi Baffles in a culvert to improve fish passage.

They are now using RFID fish tag technology to evaluate the passage of three trout species through the culvert outfit with Flexi Baffles. The DEC created a great video explaining this project. We look forward to working with these groups on future successful fish passage projects. Please contact us if you need information on the #flexibaffle. #TU #fishpassage #culvert #conservation

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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game Used Culvert Baffles to Expand Steelhead Habitat

The IDFG used genetic testing to evaluate the success of installing baffles in a culvert on the Potlatch River in the Clearwater Basin. The state installed baffles in a culvert in an effort to help anadromous steelhead access historic spawning habitat. Researchers used genetic monitoring to observe how in just two years the composition of salmonids above the culvert was moving from the resident rainbow trout to the ocean-going life history of steelhead. Steelhead were again able to access historic spawning habitat.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2021/07/genetic-test-steelhead-passage-success

Flexi Baffle – Culvert Baffle – Fish Baffle
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Excellent Drawings Clearly Show Fish Passage Remediation Techniques

Our friends in New Zealand have developed some pen and ink illustrations of the Flexi Baffle installed in a culvert to improve fish passage. There is also an illustration of a modified Flexi Baffle installation equipped with spat rope. This type of application is intended for passage of weak swimming species such as eels.

https://mailchi.mp/113d728108c6/excellent-drawings-clearly-showing-fish-passage-remediation-techniques?e=c50b522a62

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The First Flexi Baffle Installation in North America

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) is a successful watershed restoration group focusing on Johnson Creek, a tributary to the Willamette River near Portland Oregon. Led by Executive Director Daniel Newberry, the JCWC works with the community to plan and implement a variety of volunteer and restoration activities in the Johnson Creek Basin. We worked with Restoration Project Manager Chuck Lobdell to complete the first Flexi Baffle installation in North America.

The JCWC wanted to improve fish passage through a 40-foot-long concrete culvert in the North Fork Johnson Creek Watershed. They found that coho salmon would exploit available habitat above the culvert of passage conditions were improved.

The video below demonstrated the results of the Flexi Baffle installation. The JCWC staff demonstrates how the flexible baffles interrupts laminar flow through the culvert and created resting pools which would allow fish to more easily pass through the culvert.

The JCWC installed Flexi Baffles in another culvert just upstream of that site. We will keep you posted on how it worked when we go out and inspect this summer. Stay tuned!

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How to Maintain Hydraulic Capacity of Culverts & Protect the Fish with Shane Scott

I talked with Cassie Jordan about culverts and fish passage. This was my first podcast and it was a lot of fun!

Here is how Cassie introduced the podcast.

Join Cassie Jordan and Shane Scott, owner of SSA Environmental LLC, to learn how installing flexible culvert baffles is an easy and inexpensive method to improve fish passage through culverts. Salmon, trout, and other fish and aquatic species are often blocked from their habitat by poorly designed or constructed culverts. Repairing or removing culverts is costly and requires considerable time and resources. SSA has developed culvert baffles that improves fish passage in an effective and economic manner.

About Shane Scott: Shane has over 30 years’ experience working with fish passage and water quality issues. He works with utilities and other industries in minimizing adverse effects of developments on fish and wildlife resources in a cost-effective manner. Shane has worked with Clients to development and implement a variety of fish and wildlife mitigation measures that are both biologically effective and cost efficient. He has also worked on some of the largest and most complex fish passage projects in North America.

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Improve fish passage with the Flexi Baffle

Check out this video of several Flexi Baffles in culverts throughout North America. The Flexi Baffle creates hydraulic conditions to improve the passage of fish and eels and other aquatic organisms. The flexible baffle material allows rocks, logs and other debris to pass through the culvert which eliminates expensive and dangerous maintenance required to remove the material. Also, the flexible baffles bend lay flat at high water, so they have minimal effect on culvert capacity.

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