Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the U.S.
Deployment and Evaluation of an Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System at Lock and Dam 19 Active
By Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
February 27, 2024
Previous studies and experience have demonstrated that some locks and dams operate as bottlenecks or pinch points for invasive carp populations and range expansion because of unique hydraulic conditions and operations at these dams. As compared to dams without these unique conditions, pinch-point dams restrict upstream fish passage to the lock chamber and result in limited (but not zero) upstream fish passage at most river flows. This upstream passage limitation at these dams make them ideal for deployment and testing of an experimental underwater acoustic deterrence system (UADS). Lock and Dam 19 (LD19) on the Mississippi River near Keokuk, IA is a populations pinch-point dam for bigheaded carp in the UMR. We designed and installed an UADS at this location from 2020-2021 in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center-Environmental Laboratory (ERDC-EL). In partnership with the USACE, USFWS, and state natural resource agencies, we initiated an evaluation of the UADS in spring of 2021 to determine its effects on upriver-swimming invasive carp and native fishes. This evaluation will continue through fall of 2024.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
This study builds on deterrent testing in the laboratory, ponds, and field, as well as designs and models for an UADS as part of the USACE-developed Tentatively Selected Plan for Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Because one UADS design is not appropriate for all site applications, the design for this project (bottom mounted acoustic transducers, recessed to withstand navigation hazards) includes a bottom-mounted speaker array designed to operate in the turbulent environment created by lock discharge directed into the lock approach channel. The study design considered the collective extensive multiagency experience evaluating bigheaded carp passage at LD19, high head dams in the upper Illinois waterways, and other dams.
Objectives
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the UADS at preventing upstream passage of bighead, silver, and grass carp into the lock chamber of LD19 under varying environmental and operating (i.e., on/off) conditions
- Evaluate the passage success/failure of native fishes of interest to the UADS under varying environmental conditions and operating (i.e., on/off)
- Assess the behavior (e.g., swim direction, speed, tortuosity) of bighead, silver, and grass carp and native species of interest in the lock approach near the UADS
- Monitor the performance of the UADS over the study duration to determine how performance and resiliency is affected by lock operations and environmental conditions
Learn More:
Invasive Carp Deterrence Animation
Acoustic Deterrent System for Asian carp installed at Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19
Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System: Upgrades to Protect the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System Briefing Event
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the U.S.
Previous studies and experience have demonstrated that some locks and dams operate as bottlenecks or pinch points for invasive carp populations and range expansion because of unique hydraulic conditions and operations at these dams. As compared to dams without these unique conditions, pinch-point dams restrict upstream fish passage to the lock chamber and result in limited (but not zero) upstream fish passage at most river flows. This upstream passage limitation at these dams make them ideal for deployment and testing of an experimental underwater acoustic deterrence system (UADS). Lock and Dam 19 (LD19) on the Mississippi River near Keokuk, IA is a populations pinch-point dam for bigheaded carp in the UMR. We designed and installed an UADS at this location from 2020-2021 in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center-Environmental Laboratory (ERDC-EL). In partnership with the USACE, USFWS, and state natural resource agencies, we initiated an evaluation of the UADS in spring of 2021 to determine its effects on upriver-swimming invasive carp and native fishes. This evaluation will continue through fall of 2024.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
This study builds on deterrent testing in the laboratory, ponds, and field, as well as designs and models for an UADS as part of the USACE-developed Tentatively Selected Plan for Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Because one UADS design is not appropriate for all site applications, the design for this project (bottom mounted acoustic transducers, recessed to withstand navigation hazards) includes a bottom-mounted speaker array designed to operate in the turbulent environment created by lock discharge directed into the lock approach channel. The study design considered the collective extensive multiagency experience evaluating bigheaded carp passage at LD19, high head dams in the upper Illinois waterways, and other dams.
Objectives
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the UADS at preventing upstream passage of bighead, silver, and grass carp into the lock chamber of LD19 under varying environmental and operating (i.e., on/off) conditions
- Evaluate the passage success/failure of native fishes of interest to the UADS under varying environmental conditions and operating (i.e., on/off)
- Assess the behavior (e.g., swim direction, speed, tortuosity) of bighead, silver, and grass carp and native species of interest in the lock approach near the UADS
- Monitor the performance of the UADS over the study duration to determine how performance and resiliency is affected by lock operations and environmental conditions
Learn More:
Invasive Carp Deterrence Animation
Acoustic Deterrent System for Asian carp installed at Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19
Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System: Upgrades to Protect the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System Briefing Event
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the U.S.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the U.S.