Culverts are human-made interruptions to naturally flowing creek ecosystems that prevent local fish populations and other aquatic species from continuing in their migrations. The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service in East Tennessee is continuing aquatic connectivity work in the Cherokee National Forest, and with the support of the Arconic Foundation, funding was leveraged to complete seven culvert replacements and a dam within the Citico Creek watershed, which contains designated critical habitat for 3 federally listed fishes, and more than 60 total fish species. The set of project plans enable barrier removals in this high priority watershed, including reconnection of 15 linear miles of priority habitat for listed species in Citico Creek. The conservation benefits of this work include improved stream network connectivity and aquatic organism passage, reduced risk of sedimentation, and transportation infrastructure resiliency during large rain events.