Fish test circuit

Abstract

This invention of a fish test circuit for the evaluation of waterway barrier bypass systems is a conduit having at least one bypass system test station, a means for providing water flow within the conduit, a means for introducing fish into the conduit, and a means for measuring the effectiveness of the bypass system(s) under test. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the means for measuring the effectiveness of the bypass system(s) under test includes a means for determining the survival or mortality rate of the fish as they pass through each bypass system undergoing test. The test circuit may be a closed loop or a side channel of another waterway. An important feature and benefit of this invention is the capability to evaluate multiple and differing bypass systems under similar water flow, water condition and water quality conditions.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A fish test circuit for evaluation of waterway barrier fish bypass systems comprising: 
 a closed loop conduit comprising flowing water and at least one fish bypass testing station;    wherein each fish bypass testing station comprises a bypass unit adapted to move fish around a waterway barrier such as a dam, and a system for determining the survival rate of the fish as they pass through the bypass unit including a system for removal of the fish from the conduit and for physical examination of the fish.    
     
     
         2 . A fish test circuit as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one testing station further comprises a waterway barrier selected from the group consisting of a dam, a grate, and a screen.  
     
     
         3 . A fish test circuit according to  claim 1 , further including a system for controlling the environmental conditions and quality of the water within said conduit.  
     
     
         4 . A fish test circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the closed loop conduit comprises a plurality of said stations in series, each with a different bypass unit adapted to move fish around a waterway barrier.  
     
     
         5 . A fish test circuit according to  claim 4 , comprising structure adapted for viewing fish upstream and downstream of each different fish bypass unit.  
     
     
         6 . A fish test circuit according to  claim 4 , wherein said fish bypass units are selected from the group consisting of a barge system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, a fish pipeline, and a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         7 . A fish test circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fish bypass testing stations comprise a dam structure and comprise bypass units selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         8 . A fish test circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fish bypass testing stations comprise a grate structure and comprise bypass units selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         9 . A fish test circuit as in  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fish bypass testing stations comprise a screen structure and comprise bypass units selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         10 . A method of evaluating waterway barrier fish bypass systems comprising: 
 providing a conduit having at least one fish bypass test station;    providing water flow through the conduit;    providing fish in the conduit; and    measuring the effectiveness of the fish bypass station under test by removing fish from the conduit and physically examining the fish.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , comprising providing a plurality of bypass test stations having different bypass units and comparing the effectiveness of the different bypass units.  
     
     
         12 . A method of evaluating waterway barrier fish bypass systems according to  claim 11 , wherein comparing the effectiveness of the different bypass units includes determining the survival or mortality rate of the fish as they pass through each bypass unit.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said fish bypass test stations comprise a dam structure and comprise a bypass unit selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said fish bypass test stations comprise a grate structure and comprise a bypass unit selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said fish bypass test stations comprise a screen structure and comprise a bypass unit selected from the group consisting of: a barge bypass system, a fish ladder, a fish plume, and at least a portion of a fish pipeline.