Wider culvert installed at Percival Creek under Sapp Road in Tumwater

A new culvert has been installed at Percival Creek under Sapp Road in Tumwater, the city said in an update on the issue. 

The new culvert will improve fish passage as the previous culvert under the road was determined to have been a barrier for fish passage.  The city made the announcement on Aug. 5.

According to the city's website, the old culvert was 5 feet in diameter, while its replacement is 19 feet, wide, 8.5 feet high and 60 feet long. By expanding the structure, the city seeks to restore habitat access for various salmon and trout species. 

During the installation of the new culvert, crews rerouted the stream around the site and relocated aquatic life downstream. The culvert was also filled with material to replicate the existing streambed. 

Work remains before the project is considered complete. Crews are now working to construct the retaining wall at both ends of the culvert and will have to reconstruct Sapp Road. The stream will also be restored to its natural flow at the end of August. 

The project is funded by a $2.1 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation, a $257,550 grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and the city’s stormwater fund. 

Sapp Road from Crosby Boulevard and RW Johnson Boulevard will remain closed while work continues.