Thank you for your interest in learning more about the FlexiBaffle 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 FlexiBaffle 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 FlexiBaffles. If you have any other questions or comments regarding the FlexiBaffle or its use at your project, just click here to contact us!
1. General Information on the FlexiBaffle
What is a FlexiBaffle?
A FlexiBaffle 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.
FlexiBaffles can turn your culvert into a fish ladder!
How do FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffle?
FlexiBaffles 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. FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffle 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: FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles as compared to other fish passage solutions?
Installing FlexiBaffles 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. FlexiBaffles provide a simple, low-cost alternative for improving passage through existing culverts.
What is the cost of FlexiBaffle as compared to solid baffles?
FlexiBaffles are less expensive than solid baffles. In addition, they are much easier to install than solid baffles, making the FlexiBaffle significantly less costly.
What are FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles designed to last?
FlexiBaffles are a long-term solution for fish passage. We have FlexiBaffles that are performing well after 15 years. We suggest a lifetime of 10-years for planning purposes. Regular inspections ensure continued effectiveness.
Can FlexiBaffles be used in all types of culverts?
Yes, FlexiBaffles are suitable for circular, box, and arch culverts. They can be installed in culverts made of plastic, concrete and metal.
Where have FlexiBaffles been installed?
Originally developed in New Zealand, FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles manufactured?
FlexiBaffles are manufactured in the United States using all American-sourced materials.
Can FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles create microplastics?
No, FlexiBaffles 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, FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles on the hydraulic capacity of culverts?
FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles catch debris?
The FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles for fish passage?
Many users have successfully installed FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles in North America in 2018. They have since installed FlexiBaffles at two more sites. Click on the image to watch a short video on this project.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation installed FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles 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.
The City of Surrey, British Columbia has installed FlexiBaffles at several sites throughout the City. One FlexiBaffle 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 FlexiBaffle installation on Bon Accord Creek.
Do I need a permit to install FlexiBaffles?
Permit requirements vary by location and regulatory authority. Check with local environmental agencies for guidelines.
How do I order FlexiBaffles?
Please click here and we can help develop a proposed FlexiBaffle configuration for your fish passage project!
2. Design & Installation of the FlexiBaffle
How are FlexiBaffles installed in culverts?
- In corrugated metal or HDPE plastic culverts, FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffle installation instructions.
Does installing FlexiBaffles 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 FlexiBaffles installations around the world.
Do I have to dewater the culvert to install the FlexiBaffles?
No, you do not need to dewater the culvert. Most often, FlexiBaffles can be installed with water in the culvert using proper tools such as extensions on drills.
What size FlexiBaffles should I use?
The appropriate size depends on culvert dimensions and the target fish species. Click here for FlexiBaffle size and spacing recommendations or contact us for guidance.
What FlexiBaffle 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 FlexiBaffles?
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: [email protected]
Telephone: +1 360 601-2391
Also, visit our website at: https://ssaenvironmental.com/flexi-baffle/