Electric Dispersal Barriers on the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal: Comparative Testing of Invasive Carp and Fishes Employed As Surrogates

Electric dispersal barriers (EDB) operating on the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal (CSSC) specifically target small sizes of bighead Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. High probabilities of successful deterrence of these invasive fishes coupled with high levels of confidence are primary concerns in the operation of these EBD. We have developed scaled model approaches that use live fish for simulation of outcomes when fish intrude into electric dispersal barriers. Biological, Environmental, and Technical factors are manipulated, in the models, for hypothesis testing and prediction of EDB performance, and ultimately, to inform decision making on EBD operation. Modeling and simulation has shown significant differences in risk for breach of the EDB among the various Biological, Environmental, and Technical factors evaluated; risk for breach of EDB on the CSSC varies among fish species, sizes, and behaviors is strongly influenced by water conductivity, water temperature, and flow, and varies with the characteristics of the waterborne electric field. We will provide an overview of our tests and outcomes, including mitigation of risk for breach of the EDB under various environmental conditions.