Location
UMass Amherst
Start Date
28-6-2011 1:55 PM
End Date
28-6-2011 2:15 PM
Description
Designing and installing fish screens on irrigation, hydropower, municipal water supplies, and industrial diversions requires technologies specifically suited for particular site conditions. High gradient systems with high levels of sediment and organic matter are particularly difficult to effectively screen to both protect fish and supply the diverter with a reliable flow of water. Farmers Conservation Alliance has developed a horizontal flat plate fish screen called The Farmers Screen, with no moving parts, which is well suited to high gradient systems. Through extensive third party biological testing and development of 22 test sites, the Farmers Screen has proven to be reliable for both fish protection and supplying a constant flow of water to water users under harsh environmental conditions. The United States Geological Survey conducted a series of biological tests in 2009 and 2010 on installed Farmers Screens to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology in protecting both salmon and steelhead smolts and fry. Injury and mortality rates were evaluated as the fish passed over the screen under a variety of hydraulic conditions as well as behavioral responses to the screen. The tests show a clear, high level of protection for both life stages. An analysis of installed Farmers Screen test sites shows a highly effective technology for managing sediment and debris for specific site conditions over several years of operation. The Farmers Screen has shown to be an effective tool for fish protection as well as sediment and debris management where other technologies may not be effective.
Session A5- Effectively screening diversions on high gradient, high sediment, high organic debris systems
UMass Amherst
Designing and installing fish screens on irrigation, hydropower, municipal water supplies, and industrial diversions requires technologies specifically suited for particular site conditions. High gradient systems with high levels of sediment and organic matter are particularly difficult to effectively screen to both protect fish and supply the diverter with a reliable flow of water. Farmers Conservation Alliance has developed a horizontal flat plate fish screen called The Farmers Screen, with no moving parts, which is well suited to high gradient systems. Through extensive third party biological testing and development of 22 test sites, the Farmers Screen has proven to be reliable for both fish protection and supplying a constant flow of water to water users under harsh environmental conditions. The United States Geological Survey conducted a series of biological tests in 2009 and 2010 on installed Farmers Screens to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology in protecting both salmon and steelhead smolts and fry. Injury and mortality rates were evaluated as the fish passed over the screen under a variety of hydraulic conditions as well as behavioral responses to the screen. The tests show a clear, high level of protection for both life stages. An analysis of installed Farmers Screen test sites shows a highly effective technology for managing sediment and debris for specific site conditions over several years of operation. The Farmers Screen has shown to be an effective tool for fish protection as well as sediment and debris management where other technologies may not be effective.
Comments
Les Perkins is originally from Hood River, Oregon. He received a degree in Biology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. Les spent 11 years as a microbiologist in the fermentation industry, primarily focused on beer and wine making. After drinking for a living for more than a decade, Les turned his focus to fish screening in 2005. Les has been working for FCA for 6 years helping to refine the fish screen design, install test sites, and bring the Farmers Screen technology to market. FCA has developed fish screen and restoration projects in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming for fish hatcheries, irrigation, and hydro power diversions.