Abbey Rhode and John Goetz III of Clean Water Services (CWS) will present our approach of combining engineering, ecology, and partnerships to remove a channel spanning fish passage barrier in Gales Creek known as the Balm Grove Dam. Our technical approach includes detailed project monitoring and data analysis, academic research (eDNA and soils), extended site preparation, funding acquisition, embracing stream function, collaborative contracting as well as hosting multiple public meetings. Using data to drive project management decisions we are refining our approach by combining engineering and ecological disciplines in streams with cobbles, gravels, and fine-grained, cohesive clay soils and hope to share lessons learned along the way.