Construction Management: Facilities Management Office

University Creek is the largest and least altered tributary entering the lower reaches of Ross River. The upper reaches of the creek on the JCU Douglas campus provide prime spawning and growth habitat for at least 13 native fish species which migrate upstream during wet season stream flow events.

The Solander Road prototype culvert fishway allows fish migration to upstream reaches of University Creek. Provision is made for adaptation and testing of the various fishway components, which include:

ZONE A: Rock ramp / cascade fishway

ZONE B: Apron sill / baffle fishway

ZONE C: Pipe spoiler / baffle fishway

ZONE D: Culvert inlet / fishway exit

Through integration of research, facilities management, and community involvement, the prototype culvert fishways on University Creek provide a practical contribution to sustainability on the JCU Douglas Campus.

Detailed design of the fishway involved configuration and sizing of all components. Two alternative baffle fishway designs have been included in the culvert barrel (Zone C) to allow evaluation of the relative merits of these designs. The fishway facility provides for hydraulic and biological monitoring of the fishway components, adaptation and testing of prototype designs, and replacement with alternative components as required during operation and monitoring.

Construction of Solander Road prototype fishway for pipe culverts (Source: Ross Kapitzke)

Prototype fishway in operation on University Creek (Source: Ross Kapitzke)