Model and Prototype Research on Fish Ladders

The Corps of Engineers has been continuously engaged in the design, construction, and operation of fish passage facilities at major multipurpose water resource projects on the Columbia River for the past 25 yr. At the present time (1961) the Corps operates major fish passage installations at three large projects, has two more installations under construction and several others in various stages of planning. This paper provides a resume of the more significant fishery and hydraulic model studies that were conducted in developing the fish ladder facilities for these projects and summarizes the important operational studies conducted to determine the most efficient method of operating these facilities. To determine the responses of fish to the various hydraulic conditions that may be encountered for hydraulic model studies emphasis is placed on the need for a coordinated program of fishery research. This is to be further assured that design will provide the hydraulic conditions desired and that operational studies will make certain that the facilities are operated in a manner to provide the best conditions for fish passage within their design capability.