Effectiveness of an Electrical Barrier in Blocking Fish Movement

Electrical barriers were successful in blocking movements of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and largemouth bass (Micropertus salmoides) stocked in a 24-m long canal during simulated modes of pumped hydropower operation. Blockage rates were highest during nongeneration (95%-97%) and generation (94%-97%), and lowest during pumping (83%-84%). These results indicate an electrical barrier may be useful in blocking fish from migrating into areas around hydropower projects where they are vulnerable to being entrained.