Evaluation of a BioAcoustic Fish Fence at Barkley Lock and Dam
Barkley Lock and Dam, on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, Kentucky, has been identified as a strategic pinch-point navigational dam for controlling invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Fish must pass through the Barkley lock chamber to get upstream of the dam. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal deterrent (BioAcoustic Fish Fence; BAFF; Fish Guidance Systems Ltd.) at deterring silver carp and grass carp from moving upstream through the lock at Barkley Lock and Dam under various environmental conditions. This study will also evaluate the effects of this deterrent on select native fish species in a similar manner to identify potential unintended consequences. In addition to acoustic stimuli, the multimodal deterrent also incorporates strobe lights and bubble curtains to deter fish. The deterrent was installed in the downstream lock approach at Barkley Lock and Dam in fall of 2019 and will be evaluated through 2024 by a multi-agency science team led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
This project is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and partner agencies to develop control technologies to prevent invasive carps from invading the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River Basin. Collaborating agencies and institutions on this installation and evaluation include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USGS, the University of Minnesota, Fish Guidance Systems Ltd., and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
This field test will advance our understanding of BAFF applications and effectiveness for deterring upriver movement of invasive carps at strategic locks and dams. This will be the first test at a location and scale to evaluate this tool in the context of invasive carps management. The Barkley Lock and Dam setting allows evaluation of a broad range of biotic and abiotic environmental factors, including barge traffic, lock and dam operations, water depth, and season, that could influence the effectiveness of a BAFF at deterring bigheaded carps.
Objectives
- Determine the effectiveness of the BAFF as a deterrent for up-river swimming silver carp during normal lock and dam operations.
- Evaluate response of native fish species (e.g., paddlefish, smallmouth buffalo, and freshwater drum) to the BAFF during normal lock and dam operations to assess possible unintended consequences.
- Determine the influence of environmental factors on the effectiveness of the BAFF.
Learn more:
Invasive Carp Deterrence Animation (YouTube)
Bio-acoustic fish fence now operational (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
High Tech Battle Waged Against Invasive Carp (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Informational Pamphlet (Invasivecarp.us)
Barkley Lock and Dam, on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, Kentucky, has been identified as a strategic pinch-point navigational dam for controlling invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Fish must pass through the Barkley lock chamber to get upstream of the dam. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal deterrent (BioAcoustic Fish Fence; BAFF; Fish Guidance Systems Ltd.) at deterring silver carp and grass carp from moving upstream through the lock at Barkley Lock and Dam under various environmental conditions. This study will also evaluate the effects of this deterrent on select native fish species in a similar manner to identify potential unintended consequences. In addition to acoustic stimuli, the multimodal deterrent also incorporates strobe lights and bubble curtains to deter fish. The deterrent was installed in the downstream lock approach at Barkley Lock and Dam in fall of 2019 and will be evaluated through 2024 by a multi-agency science team led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
This project is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and partner agencies to develop control technologies to prevent invasive carps from invading the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River Basin. Collaborating agencies and institutions on this installation and evaluation include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USGS, the University of Minnesota, Fish Guidance Systems Ltd., and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
This field test will advance our understanding of BAFF applications and effectiveness for deterring upriver movement of invasive carps at strategic locks and dams. This will be the first test at a location and scale to evaluate this tool in the context of invasive carps management. The Barkley Lock and Dam setting allows evaluation of a broad range of biotic and abiotic environmental factors, including barge traffic, lock and dam operations, water depth, and season, that could influence the effectiveness of a BAFF at deterring bigheaded carps.
Objectives
- Determine the effectiveness of the BAFF as a deterrent for up-river swimming silver carp during normal lock and dam operations.
- Evaluate response of native fish species (e.g., paddlefish, smallmouth buffalo, and freshwater drum) to the BAFF during normal lock and dam operations to assess possible unintended consequences.
- Determine the influence of environmental factors on the effectiveness of the BAFF.
Learn more:
Invasive Carp Deterrence Animation (YouTube)
Bio-acoustic fish fence now operational (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
High Tech Battle Waged Against Invasive Carp (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Informational Pamphlet (Invasivecarp.us)