Deer Creek is one of the few remaining streams supporting natural runs of spring-run Chinook salmon in California’s Central Valley. The lower falls form a natural barrier to upstream migration to an additional six miles of summer holding and spawning habitat. NHC led the planning, stakeholder coordination, environmental permitting and compliance, design, and construction management of fish passage improvements to replace a deficient fish passage structure at the site. The project was in a steep canyon without road access, requiring helicopter trips and mule trains to deliver materials to the site. The final design was developed to be constructible and maintainable in these remote conditions. NHC facilitated close communication between the contractor and regulatory agencies to protect sensitive environmental resources during project implementation. Fish surveys show that the new structure is operating successfully with increased numbers of fish observed upstream of the falls since completion of the project.