Project name: Dog River Fish Screening & Passage Improvements

Location: Mt. Hood

Completion: November 2024

Size: 18,000 square feet

Cost: $2,607,356

Owner/Developer: City of The Dalles

Engineer: Jacobs

General Contractor: Tapani Inc.

Submitting Company: Tapani Inc.

Subcontractors: Arrow Timber Framing, Bar M Steel, Brothers Concrete Cutting, Columbia West Engineering, Emmert International, Hage Electric, Hood River Sand and Gravel, Ralph’s Concrete Pumping, Windsor Engineers

In the remote reaches of Mt. Hood National Forest, a critical infrastructure project has successfully secured the water supply for 15,700 residents while enhancing local fish habitat.

Tapani, in partnership with the City of The Dalles, recently completed a comprehensive river intake project that replaced an outdated dam with advanced fish screening and passage systems for the city’s municipal water supply. The complex undertaking required removing an existing gaging weir and transforming the dam’s spillway into a rock ramp fishway to support fish migration. The construction included six rock ramps, a new fish diversion channel, fish screens, a fish bypass flume, headgates and a control sill.

The Tapani team discovered that the dam’s bottom elevation was too high, which led to an unexpected full removal and replacement of the structure. Despite this challenge and the site’s extremely remote location, the team completed the project within the strict in-water work window. The isolation of the site required extensive coordination with vendors and suppliers, who needed precise directions due to the absence of cellular service in the area. The proactive approach helped avoid delays and ensured a smooth flow of materials throughout the project.

The team employed an innovative shoring technique that enhanced both safety and efficiency. By flipping the end of the shoring box upward, they maintained continuous footing formation while ensuring full trench protection. This method streamlined workflow, minimized downtime and reduced material costs and labor expenses.

Several partners were instrumental to the project’s success, including Arrow Timber Framing, Hage Electric, Bar M Steel and Emmert International, which handled heavy lifting and transport.

The Oregon Department of State Lands recognized the project with its prestigious Stream Award, highlighting the initiative’s innovation, environmental impact and lasting benefits.

Beyond improving infrastructure, the project serves as the main water supply for The Dalles, ensuring a reliable and sustainable source while supporting long-term economic growth. The fish passage systems contribute to protecting local ecosystems, striking a balance between the city’s water needs and environmental preservation.

As the city looks toward the future, this upgraded system stands as a testament to collaborative problem-solving and sustainable infrastructure development.

“This project supports a resilient water supply for the next century for the City of The Dalles and stewardship of cold, headwater streams near Mount Hood,” noted Jacobs Engineering’s Brady Fuller in the project nomination form.

The post Dog River Fish Screening & Passage Improvements appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.