HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT
Fishery Division
ottoa :rot
....4.1t410094
SAME COMMISS101
OREGON STATE GAME COMMISSION
1634 S. W. Alder
Portland 5, Oregon
NUMBER 2
STATE OF OREGON
OREGON STATE GAME COMMISSION
P. W. Schneider, Director
FEEERAL AID TO FISH RESTORATION
COMPLETION REPORT
Illinois Falls Fish Ladder
By
Donald M. Jacobson
Project Engineer
Robert L. Borovicka
Coordinating Biologist
State
Oregon
Project No.
Date
F-55-E61
March 1963
COMPLETION REPORT
Illinois Falls Fish Ladder
Period Covered:
April 22, 1960 to June 30, 1963
ABSTRACT
The construction of Illinois Falls fish ladder on the Illinois River in
Oregon was completed in November 1961.
Final cleanup and rock removal was completed in the fall
the winter of 1961-62.
of 1962.
The ladder was opened and operated during
The ladder was installed on a natural barrier where fish passage was
delayed by low and moderately high river levels.
The facility installed was a
concrete vertical baffle-type fishway patterned after the Hells Gate fishway in use
on the Fraser River in Canada.
Since the ladder has been installed, salmon and
steelhead have arrived at upper river areas much earlier than previously recorded.
Concentrations of fish have not been observed below the falls.
Site Location and Access
Illinois Falls is approximately 12 miles northwest of Selma and is reached
by a narrow access road from Highway 199.
one-half mile downstream from the falls.
was the only access to the falls.
A road crosses the Illinois River about
A trail on the south side of the river
As part of the contract, it was necessary for
the contractor to build an access road over large boulders and exposed bedrock to
the primary work area.
The road was laid over the flood plain of the river and
requires annual maintenance because of water erosion.
The project area is on U. S. Forest Service land in the SWi, Section 33,
Township 37 South, Range 9 Wbst, W.M., within a federal power site withdrawal.
A
Special Use Permit was given by the U. S. Forest Service and approval was obtained
from the Federal Power Commission to build on the site.
Problem at the Natural Barrier
Illinois Falls is on a bend of the river forming a barrier about 17.5 feet
The forebay behind the falls is a deep pool and the bottom is about the
high.
same level as the stream bed below the falls.
The pool extends upstream for
approximately 600 feet where a small cascade is apparent during low flows.
At
the falls location, a large block of rock forms an island with the main falls on
the north bank of the river and a side channel on the south.
The two channels
press against steep sides of the canyon with the center island some 13 to 14 feet
above the low water level.
Daring extremely low flows, fish arriving at the falls were attracted to and
jumped at the main falls.
The side channel did not pass sufficient water at low
stages so the fish were blocked.
start to take more water.
At moderate flow the velocities and turbulence stopped
fish movement until higher flows.
channel was about equal.
As the flows increased, the side channel would
At a flow of 2,000 c.f.s.9 the flow in each
Above this quantity the side channel would take slightly
more water than the main channel.
During these periods the fish were observed to
completely ignore the main falls and pass over the side channel.
The river flows vary from a low of 56 c.f.s. to a momentary high of 489600
c,f,s.
From the developed hydrograph it was determined that fish passage should
be aided through a range of 9,000 c,f,s.
The possibility of blasting out the plug formed by the main falls and building
a fishway upstream was investigated.
Further engineering studies indicated that
the wider area as now exists slows the velocity of the river where removing the
falls would increase it through the new cut.
The tail water of the falls fluctuates more than the forebay surface during
2
periods of increasing flows.
surfaces.
At low water there are 17.5 feet between the two
At 9,000 c.f.s. the forebay rises 8 feet while the tail water rises
13.5 feet, with a difference of 12 feet.
Silver salmon reach the falls about the middle of October and are followed
by fall chinook, fall steelhead, and finally winter steelhead which pass as late
as the middle of April.
Passage is needed during most of the period.
delays to migrant fish were experienced at the falls.
Serious
Heavy concentrations of
fish in the stream below the falls caused an enforcement problem and unusually
high angling success in open areas.
Design Solutions
A vertical baffle fishway patterned after the Hells Gate fishway on the
Fraser River in Canada was designed for the falls.
The high fluctuation of water
levels at both the entrance and the fish exit and the velocity within the fishway
would remain fairly constant through wide ranges of water levels with the vertical
baffle type fishway.
The location chosen for the facility was the island side of
the side channel to obtain the best velocity of water for the approaching fish.
A new channel was planned to be cut between the entrance of the fishway and the
area just below the main falls.
flow of the falls.
The channel would enter at a 90. angle with the
The flow from the new side channel would tend to divert most
of the fish from the main falls and cause them to enter the fishway system
directly.
At low flows the fishway was designed to take approximately one-half of the
total flow of the river.
As the fish normally entered the side channel at the
higher flows under the existing conditions, this was further support for the
chosen location.
Auxiliary water would be added to the entrance pool for attraction waters
at all river flows.
3
The fishway was designed forming three sections with expansion joint materii,,I.
between the sections.
Sections A and C were single formed about one-half the
height of the wall with dowels into the rock at this level.
The remaining portions
of the wall were designed as vertical beams spanning from this level to the top of
the structure where the reaction was taken by an integral top beam tied into
lateral beams at the baffle sections.
metal grating.
Roofs of the sections were covered with
Section B was designed as vertical beams spanning from the floor
slab to the roof slab with an integral top beam tied into lateral beams at top of
the baffles.
Access ports were placed in the roof slab at each pool in Section Bo
This section would be submerged during moderate flows to allow more water to pass
through this area of the side channel.
The 24-inch auxiliary water pipe was designed to be placed below the floor
slabs of Sections B and C, entering a diffusion chamber under the first pool.
The
floor of the first pool is metal grating, passing water at a velocity of 1/4 foot
per second.
Geology of the Falls LI
The principal rock type in the vicinity of the Illinois River Falls is a
metamorphosed basic lava, probably a basalt.
There are associated interbedded metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks
including tuffs, agglomerates, sandstones, and conglomerates in the vicinity but
not at the actual construction site.
All of the rocks are hardened and partly
recrystallized so that they have similar physical properties.
,i
Report by:
H. G. Schlicker and Len Ramp, visited May 18, 19600
Ublls, F. G., and others, Preliminary Geologic Map of the Kerby Quadrangle:
State of Oregon, Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Map, 1948.
Preliminary Geologic of Southwestern Oregon:
MF 38, 1955.
U. S. Geologic Survey Map
The basalt at the falls is amygdaloidal and quite hard and fresh.
Alteration
by low-grade metamorphism appears to be mainly chloritization,silicification, and
possibly saussuritization.
Both calcite and quartz have been deposited in fractures.
The metabasalt is massive and has a well-developed joint pattern.
Closely
spaced joints of varying strength cut the rock in many directions so that it breaks
It was estimated that
into angular blocks from 1 inch to 8 inches in dimension.
overbreak would require approximately 25 per cent to 35 per cent additional concrete in floor or single-form wall construction.
The joint pattern as measured is listed with the most frequent attitude and
strongest direction first:
Strike of Joint
N
N
N
N
N
N
W to N
45" W to N
55. E to N
10' E to N
- S
25'
60'
75'
30'
212
60' to 80' NE
Vertical
60" to 85' NW
75' to 90' SE
Vertical
Vertical
W (most frequent)
W (strongest)
E
E
- W
A more detailed study of the joint pattern could probably relate the jointing
to the transverse compressional stresses that caused folding in the area.
The
predominant trend of the fold axes is N 30° E.
Construction
The plans were advertized the latter part of April 1960, to be opened May 25,
1960.
A site inspection trip was made May 18, 1960 by the Game Commission engin-
eers, two State of Oregon geologists, and interested contractors.
The proposed
layout was explained on the ground as to locations, depths of rock cut, etc. by
the engineers.
Geologists explained the character of rock formations and what
could be expected during blasting operations during excavation.
Eight bids were received and the low four are listed below:
Mann Construction Co.
.island Construction Co.
F. L. Somers
Edwin Maery
Redmond, Oregon
Grants Pass, Oregon
Medford, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
$83,700.00
92,960.00
93,200.00
93,500.00
The low bid of Mann Construction Company was accepted and work started June 13,
1960.
The first concrete was poured in the floor slab of Section A on September 129
1960.
Section A was nearly complete and the walls of Section B poured when high
water breached the cofferdam and closed operations on November 16, 1960.
Work was resumed the middle of August 1961 and continued to November 20, 1961.
The main fishway was completed except for loose rock and debris in the lower
entrance channel.
The ladder was opened and operated during the winter of 196162.
The contractor returned to the site in October 1962 and completed the project.
Fish Passage
No facilities were installed to enumerate or check the movement of fish
through the new fishway.
The ladder is isolated on the island during higher flows
and difficult to check.
Steelhead and silver salmon were found in the upper river areas at earlier
dates than in previous observations.
The concentration of fish below the falls
that occurred before the ladder was completed no longer exist.
Angler success
has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded in the one-half-mile section
immediately below the falls.
These observations indicate that the fish are using
the new facility and are not now delayed in their annual migration.
Financial Statement
Project approval
Estimated expenditures
$122,650.35
94,500.00
Submitted by:
Approved by
tames W. Goin (r.
(' Federal Aid Coordinator
Donald M. Jaz son
Project Engineer
Robert L. Borovxcka
Coordinating Biologist
6
General view of fishway and Illinois Falls
Fishway entrance
A
W. S. 82.03'
,5
10 - 2 3 - 5a
6RAvEL
.0
r
-t
rr-N
?)
.6
.1
\L
ILLINOIS RJVEk
INDEX TO DRAWINGS
TITLE
ATP
a
13.5
SHEET
SITE EA CONTOURS
DAILY HYDROGRAPH
EXCAVATION PROFILES
2
PLAN- SECTION "A" 6" El"
PLAN-SECTION .8.8C
4
5
SECTION "A" DETAILS
SECTION A. DETAILS
7
3
FISH EXIT DETAILS
SECTION"Er DETAILS
6
SECTION "C" DETAILS
10
9
SECT1014-C-DETAILS B AUXILIARY WATER CHAMBER_ I I
AUXILIARY PIPELINE B GRATINGS
12
IS
MISCELLANEOUS METALWORK
MISCELLANEOUS METALWORK
14
W.5. 85. c154,7
to 2 3 -58
e
H
L
- AREA
W5.5. TACK, W/R113
NJ
oF OAK TREE.
INDEX FOR TRIANGULATION P0113T5
&S. F. 5. Abast. E DISTANCE
A
AL 5.5, 5
I I 5' - 4"
Cr 00'
A
5
SCC L 5 5. 21'
13 (.' 0"
STATION
".
A
C
A
C
A
0 -rm.
A
Eva.w.
A
L11.02
119%2"
L 96'50
Onto R 8r54'
5
L I14 52'
E AAJ
11452
E
81, I."
149,0
2050'
212TACK W/RED FL A64,04 IN FOL.. 4106A TAU
E
F
ALL STATIONS ALT W ITN WAIL IN COLIC. EXCEPT b.
INDEX FOR REFERENCE POINTS
STATION
&S.
F.S.
ANGLE
A
B
G
G
A
D'135.
Woo'
44:79.
G
Vas-
H
B
C
G
PPE°
00'
L4749.
A
B
H
L62659.
14
A
G
L69.12.
H
0
hum LI17°30.
H
A
I UAW
DISTANT
93'2"
SITE
ILLINOIS
FALLS
3Ci-4*"
B13-91i
22-2"
73.10/c
imr-sSi
L15642.
Imre IS ANY POINT ON It OF SECTION .C. OF
FISH WAY.
Oregon State Game Commission - Portland, Oregon
CONTOUR. INTERVAL 2 FEET
SCALE
I
nK1.1
20 FEET
DRAWN 10-29-58 EN DtAJ
ENGINEER
CNICIWI IT
AWT. SWICTO,.e./efre4
APR W IT
MOM'
PLATE"
14
i
OF
PLATES
1015
16 Si'
POUR TO RCCK CUT
10
100
'STING
BEAM C-2
12CONC.CAP
SEE
CCAP
2"C
sct-iraEL4.11
6"M11.4.6 COMPACTED
BACKFILL USE EXCAVATED MATERIAL
JWALL SECTION ABOVE
CONSTRUCTION JOINT
MAY BE SINGLE FO
AT CONTRACTORS 0
44912
45-12T.C.
44
6 -MIND CCM-
SEE ethnot.
RICTED BACK-
JOINT
'T7 DOWELS 018"C-C.
LENG,181N ROCK
4.-61.0NG, arm
1. VO.c.
31-0
WALL SECTION BELOW CONST-
0
RUCTION JOINT MUST 8E
SINGLE FORMED.
ACCESS
NING
W/STOFLCG CLOSURE
ROCK FACE MUST BE FREE OF
15,3.X6.,STOFLOGS
REQUIRED
ALL LOOSE MATERIAL AT
TIME OF POUR.
&Dam Go
SEE SHEET 0
AS VERT.
440IiCC
2
1110111101.1.11.6.
70 6"C.C.
401.2t.C.
METAL PIPE,ASFNALT
DIPPED.
2
24 fbei6GA.CORRUGATED
S
STOPLOGS REQUIRED
Ir
BAFFLE STOPLOGS -To BE INSTALLED
3X 6" TEIG, 3'..6" LONG, 15 PER BAFFLE, 240 TOTAL.
8
TYPICAL BAFFLE
BAFFLE
TO BE STORED
3X6 TELG, 2.9"LONG, 25 TOTAL.
2"
TYPICAL BAFFLE 81 SECTION e)
SCALE
SCALE siI'-o"
A
asELET-TO BE STORED
X 4.CHMENSiON, 5'.-24LONG, 75 TOTAL.
2P5
NOTE:
2N6*TBG , 2'-5"LONG, 20 TOTAL.
BAFFLE
STOPLOGS TO BE DOUGLAS FIR CONSTRUCTION GRADE.
2'4
BEAM C-1
TR)PLOG GUIDES ARE INSTALLED WITH ,5 FLUSH SHELLS.
HOLD DOWN BRACKET FOR STOPLOGS INSTALLED WITH
V'BOLT B THREADED INSERT, IONABOVE OPENING.
HEIGHT
81.5
16.-
79.5
78.5
16'. lir
17'-0*
17=4'
60.5
Zsf
BEAM C-3
I
2.3'7
FISH ENTRANCE To BE STORED
9.,,, 4.
1
440 IZCC.
3
..0.
12'
.
teEACH
i
V
LEG
Ste.
EACH LEG
J. IL
4,!7.111
ILLINOIS FALLS
FISHWAY
SECTION "C" DETAILS
SCALE
TYPICAL BAFFLE
SCALE ./2-
Oregon State Game Commission - Portland, Oregon
DINO OD.
IONINI
AS SHOWN
DRAWN 3.17.60
BY KSL
ENGINEER /4..ta)),
grr',DoCry as iVtitei..4/
arer777,W, Liat;giSt
PLATE
OF
10
PLATES
1015