Laboratory Investigations on the Use of Strobe Lights and Bubble Curtains to Deter Dam Escapes of Age-0 Muskellunge

Abstract

The movement of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy over a dam to leave a reservoir is known as dam escape. It is common in Midwestern U.S. reservoirs and has been as high as 25% of the adult population. A variety of barrier and guidance systems have been used to control fish movement, but the success of such barriers has been mixed and appears to be very species dependent. We examined the effectiveness of a simple, relatively low-power and low-cost bubble curtain, strobe light, and bubble curtain with strobe light barriers to deter Muskellunge from escaping over spillways. In 15 replicate trials of each treatment type conducted in a simulated spillway, age-0 Muskellunge were more likely to escape during daytime trials (P < 0.01), but the three barrier combinations did not reduce rates of escape. Light and bubble curtain barriers will likely not be effective in reducing spillway escapes by Muskellunge.

Received September 18, 2013; accepted January 22, 2014

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding for this project was provided by the Hugh C. Becker Memorial Foundation and from Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Act Project F-151-R. We thank L. Dunham and S. Pallo who coordinated activities with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. We thank Steve Miranda for his statistical help. We also thank L. Einfalt for the care of fish and laboratory assistance, as well as C. DeBoom for assistance with experimental design and three anonymous reviewers for providing helpful comments on this manuscript.