Technical assistance program

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) offers technical assistance to ensure your hydraulic project is designed and constructed in a way that protects fish.

We encourage anyone planning hydraulic projects to submit a general concept for review through the Aquatic Protection Permitting System (APPS). A habitat biologist can then help you develop a fish-friendly project design and answer questions. This is a great place to start if you are new to the HPA application process. 

A district fish biologist can also help by identifying fish species.

Resources to develop fish-friendly hydraulic projects 

Planning and mapping 

• SalmonScape – Salmonid distribution and occurrence data
• Priority Habitats and Species – Learn about priority fish species at your project site with PHS on the Web
• Forage Fish Spawning Map – Learn about documented spawning locations of forage fish
• Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance – Helps people determine which environmental permits are required for projects

Project guidelines

Designing climate change-resilient culverts and bridges - WDFW's water crossing guidance now considers stream changes due to climate change. We will help you design culverts and bridges using future stream condition data to avoid project failure and maintain fish passage.

Aquatic Habitat Guidelines - Guides to help you with hydraulic project planning and design.

• Marine Projects
  • Your Marine Waterfront
  • Marine Shoreline Design Guidelines
  • Authorized work windows in saltwater areas of the state (WAC 220-660-330)

• Freshwater Projects
  • WDFW Water Crossing Design Guidelines
  • WDFW Stream Habitat Restoration Guidelines
  • WDFW Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines
  • Bypass Design, Installation, and Decommission (video)
  • Times when spawning or incubating salmonids are least likely to be within Washington State Freshwaters

• Fish Screening & Irrigation Diversion Protection

Engineering drawings

The department offers example drawings and checklists for common hydraulic projects to help you develop a complete drawing package.

• Construction drawing checklists
  • Drawing checklist for most hydraulic projects
  • Drawing checklist for water crossing structures
• Example engineering drawings (for reference only)
  • Typical stream projects
  • Typical saltwater projects
  • Beaver deceiver projects

Protocols

• Fish and habitat surveys
  • Forage Fish Beach Spawning Surveys
  • Seagrass/Macroalgae Habitat Interim Survey Guidelines
  • List of WDFW approved survey biologists

• Fish exclusion, handling, and electrofishing
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Exclusion, Capture, Handling, and Electroshocking Protocols and Standards
  • WSDOT Fish Exclusion Protocols and Standards

Mitigation and project enhancements

• Mitigation Guidelines – HPAs ensure hydraulic projects protect fish. You must mitigate project impacts that exceed allowable limits.
• Washington Native Plant Society provides plant lists by county and native plant and seed sources that can help you restore vegetation, per your Hydraulic Project Approval.
• Living with Wildlife - Beavers – Learn about ways to prevent conflicts with beavers.