An Oregon State University graduate student will present the results of a fish passage barrier assessment at the South Santiam Watershed Council meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Lebanon Senior Center.

Eric Andersen, a graduate student in OSU's Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, surveyed 25 culverts in the South Santiam Watershed for fish passage this summer.

Certain culverts and other fish passage barriers are known to limit the migration of fish, including endangered species Spring Chinook and winter steelhead, which are native to the South Santiam Watershed. Undersized or blocked culverts also are at risk for failure and may threaten road crossings and property during high water flood events if they do not allow water to pass freely.

The fish passage barrier survey is being used by the Watershed Council to prioritize restoration work based on the presence of fish in streams blocked by culverts and the amount of high quality habitat located above the barrier.

Following the presentation will be updates on other South Santiam Watershed Council projects and the board meeting at 7 p.m.