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Some of Oregon’s streams just aren’t the kind of places a fish would want to hang out. For one, there’s the experience of going with the flow only to have it dump you several feet out the end of a culvert.

And if that sounds rough, just try it in reverse. Most fish can’t, of course, and that’s left much of the state off limits.

Some streams have been blocked by inadequate culverts, dams or other barriers for as long as anyone can remember. The prospect of opening them to migrating fish excites Greg Apke, statewide fish passage program leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“I’m personally really passionate about fish passage,” Apke said. That passion even extends to the small fry.

Adult fish might be able to navigate around or over a stream barrier. “But the teenagers of the fish world may not be able to migrate upstream,” he said.

Things look to be getting better for teen fish. Washington County, which already targets culverts for replacement, just signed a deal with Fish and Wildlife. That deal, which lets the department approve entire replacement programs instead of projects, promises to save staff time and money.

That means more money for projects. Which opens more of the state’s waterways to fish of all ages.