Deployment of a Short-term Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System in the Chicago Area Waterway System
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), collectively referred to as bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, requested the deployment of an underwater acoustic deterrent system (uADS) as a supplement to the Electric Dispersal Barrier (EDB) system during winter barrier operations and maintenance. The overall goals of this project are to determine if an acoustic deterrent system can be implemented in this area, evaluate any impacts to vessels, and monitor acoustics.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
An EDB (composed of three electric arrays) is used in the Chicago Area Waterway System to prevent inter-basin dispersal of fish between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes basins. These complex electrical systems are occasionally powered down for maintenance. Implementing a uADS during these scheduled maintenance events can provide a layer of protection against the spread of bigheaded carps while the EDB is powered off. Invasive carps have not been detected in this location, so fish monitoring is not a primary objective. Instead, examining the uADS to develop models for future acoustic deployments is a main objective.
Objectives
- Deploy an underwater uADS downstream of the EDB.
- Operate and monitor the continuous operation of the UADS downstream of the EDB for the duration of the EDB maintenance events.
- Collect and examine acoustic data during deployment of the UADS for use during EDB failures and anomalies.
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), collectively referred to as bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, requested the deployment of an underwater acoustic deterrent system (uADS) as a supplement to the Electric Dispersal Barrier (EDB) system during winter barrier operations and maintenance. The overall goals of this project are to determine if an acoustic deterrent system can be implemented in this area, evaluate any impacts to vessels, and monitor acoustics.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
An EDB (composed of three electric arrays) is used in the Chicago Area Waterway System to prevent inter-basin dispersal of fish between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes basins. These complex electrical systems are occasionally powered down for maintenance. Implementing a uADS during these scheduled maintenance events can provide a layer of protection against the spread of bigheaded carps while the EDB is powered off. Invasive carps have not been detected in this location, so fish monitoring is not a primary objective. Instead, examining the uADS to develop models for future acoustic deployments is a main objective.
Objectives
- Deploy an underwater uADS downstream of the EDB.
- Operate and monitor the continuous operation of the UADS downstream of the EDB for the duration of the EDB maintenance events.
- Collect and examine acoustic data during deployment of the UADS for use during EDB failures and anomalies.