Fishheart pilot project in the US exceeded all expectations – see the results

Under the supervision of Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the test was designed to evaluate the ability of the Fishheart fishway to provide upstream passage for fish especially for migrating
American Shad and Herring at an operating hydropower project. The project was hosted by Santee Cooper at the Santee Dam and Spillway site in Pineville, South Carolina.

The test had a budget of 1,3 million USD and was funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Testing and evaluation were carried out by Fishheart personnel together with Alden Research Laboratory and DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The test ran for 21 days.

Pictured are the Fishheart fishway system in the Santee Dam and Spillway site and fish inside the system's pipeline. The story continues under the images.

 

 

Results

Results exceeded expectations, with a total number of 4 144 fish, including 16 species from surface to bottom. The following table outlines the species and length ranges of fish that passed safely through the Fishheart fishway: