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40 years after it's construction, the cells of the Roy's Dam fish ladder (on Lagunitas Creek in west Marin County) leaked, preventing water from flowing the entire course. Native Coho Salmon and Steelhead attempted to leap over the aging dam, and were turned back. In the fall of 1998, members of the local community teamed together to restore the failing fish ladder. Along with members of various environmental organizations, such as Trout Unlimited and Spawn; Van Midde & Son supplied equipment and manpower to set forms and install concrete. The cells of the fish ladder were cleared of debris, and resurfaced with quick setting cement. On Mother's Day 1999, a survey of upstream tributaries revealed hundreds of salmon and steelhead fry growing in quiet protected waters. |
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Lagunitas Creek is home to an estimated
300-500 mature Coho Salmon, or 10 percent of California's remaining stock
of this endangered species. The project gained the attention of the nation, when the evening news included video footage of salmon relentlessly attempting to jump the aging dam. During the Fall 1998 work days, the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, visited the worksite; and spent time becoming familiar with the the project. Pictured here, the Secretary receives careful instruction from Ted Van Midde, on the proper use of a jackhammer. |
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In the summer of 1999, the Lagunitas project continued. Almost a
century after the dam's construction, too great a volume of silt behind Roy's
dam prevented the removal of dam itself. The fear was that the silt
would clog downstream spawning gravel, and kill the river; but a better passageway for
spawning salmonids was desired. Engineers, environmentalists, government agencies and neighbors all joined forces once more. Members of the Marin Builders Exchange, including Van Midde Concrete, provided labor and material to convert Roy's Dam into Roy's Pools. As the rains of winter 1999-2000 arrived, and Lagunitas Creek began to flow, Salmon and Steelhead returned to the upstream headwaters and ancient spawning grounds. |
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