Maui Fish Ladder Construction at Wailuku River to Start Monday

Wailuku River. File: 2.10.19 PC: Wendy Osher

Beginning on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, the Commission on Water Resource Management will be constructing a fish ladder on the 22-foot vertical concrete wall in the Wailuku River below the Market Street Bridge in Wailuku.

CWRM reports that it needs to divert flows around the site to provide a safe working environment.

Mahi Pono will divert flow at Spreckels Ditch in the lower reach of the Wailuku River to the Waiʻale Reservoir. The work is expected to take a few days, weather permitting. During this time, the interim instream flow standard (IIFS) of 10 million gallons per day (mgd) at Kepaniwai Park and 5 (mgd) near the mouth of the river will be temporarily suspended.

After completion, water will be returned to the river to meet the IIFS, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Due to safety concerns, access to the construction area will be limited.

The Wailuku Water Company began releasing 10 mgd into the Wailuku River as part of the 2014 Settlement Agreement in the Na Wai ʻEhā contested case.

The Agreement involved Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā, Maui Tomorrow Foundation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, Wailuku Water Company, Department of Water Supply, and the Commission. The 2014 Agreement included other streams in the area which are not affected by construction.

This information will be posted on the CWRM website (http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm).

Wailuku River from Market Street Bridge. PC: Oct. 21, 2019.