HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES AT FERC FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES AT FERC

LICENSED PROJECTS ON THE LOWER LICENSED PROJECTS ON THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVERSUSQUEHANNA RIVER

Peter S. FootePeter S. Foote

The Louis Berger Group, Inc.The Louis Berger Group, Inc.

180 Rambling Road180 Rambling Road

East Amherst, NY 14051East Amherst, NY 14051

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Original distribution of American shadOriginal distribution of American shad

Early dam construction (1800’s)Early dam construction (1800’s)

Hydroelectric dam construction (1904 – 1930)Hydroelectric dam construction (1904 – 1930)

Early shad restoration efforts (1860’s – Early shad restoration efforts (1860’s – 1940’s)1940’s)

Modern restoration efforts (1950’s – present)Modern restoration efforts (1950’s – present)

Recent fish passage dataRecent fish passage data

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Susquehanna River Basin

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Original distribution of shad:Original distribution of shad:

Up to Binghamton, NY, over 300 miles from the Up to Binghamton, NY, over 300 miles from the river mouthriver mouth

Larger tributaries such as the Juniata RiverLarger tributaries such as the Juniata River

Pennsylvania landings of an estimated 2 million Pennsylvania landings of an estimated 2 million pounds (670,000 fish)pounds (670,000 fish)

Additional landings in NY, MD, VAAdditional landings in NY, MD, VA

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Seine haul – mouth of Susquehanna River, late 1800’s

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Early dam construction (1800’s)Early dam construction (1800’s)

1830’s – canal feeder dam construction1830’s – canal feeder dam construction

Columbia Dam (1835) had greatest effect – only 43 Columbia Dam (1835) had greatest effect – only 43 miles from river mouthmiles from river mouth

Also problems with poor water quality and over Also problems with poor water quality and over harvestharvest

Shad runs significantly declined from 1835 – 1890 Shad runs significantly declined from 1835 – 1890 (PA landings of 205,000 pounds)(PA landings of 205,000 pounds)

Mid 1890’s – abandonment of canal feeder dams Mid 1890’s – abandonment of canal feeder dams and small revival of shad fishery (PA landings of and small revival of shad fishery (PA landings of 312,000 pounds in 1908)312,000 pounds in 1908)

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Hydroelectric dam construction (1904 – 1930)Hydroelectric dam construction (1904 – 1930)

1904 – York Haven Dam (river mile 65; 6 – 22 ft 1904 – York Haven Dam (river mile 65; 6 – 22 ft high) (may be partially passable)high) (may be partially passable)

1910 – Holtwood Dam (river mile 25; 55 ft high) 1910 – Holtwood Dam (river mile 25; 55 ft high) (two fishways)(two fishways)

1928 – Conowingo Dam (river mile 10; 95 ft high) 1928 – Conowingo Dam (river mile 10; 95 ft high) (in lieu of payments)(in lieu of payments)

1930 – Safe Harbor Dam (river mile 33; 55 ft high) 1930 – Safe Harbor Dam (river mile 33; 55 ft high) (in lieu of payments)(in lieu of payments)

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

(former feeder dam site)

(former feeder dam site)

(former feeder dam site)

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEPASSAGE

Photo from Carlson, 1968

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Early shad restoration efforts (1860’s – 1940’s)Early shad restoration efforts (1860’s – 1940’s)

1867 – PA Fish Commission established to oversee 1867 – PA Fish Commission established to oversee shad restorationshad restoration

1867 – 1886: Four fishways constructed at 1867 – 1886: Four fishways constructed at Columbia DamColumbia Dam

Late 1800’s: Restrictions on fishing gear and eel Late 1800’s: Restrictions on fishing gear and eel weirsweirs

1910: Two fishways constructed at Holtwood Dam1910: Two fishways constructed at Holtwood Dam

1873 – 1937: Shad hatcheries (Juniata River, 1873 – 1937: Shad hatcheries (Juniata River, Marietta, Havre de Grace)Marietta, Havre de Grace)

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Holtwood Dam from west shore

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Holtwood fish ladder – built 1910

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Shad hatchery – late 1800’s

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Modern restoration efforts (1950’s and 1960’s)Modern restoration efforts (1950’s and 1960’s)

1950: Appropriation for 6-year USFWS study of 1950: Appropriation for 6-year USFWS study of status of Atlantic coast shad fisheriesstatus of Atlantic coast shad fisheries

1952: Walburg study, transport of adult shad from 1952: Walburg study, transport of adult shad from Chesapeake Bay to upper Susquehanna RiverChesapeake Bay to upper Susquehanna River

1958 – 1960: Whitney study on feasibility of 1958 – 1960: Whitney study on feasibility of passing shad and other species over Conowingo passing shad and other species over Conowingo DamDam

1962: Bell and Holmes feasibility study for installing 1962: Bell and Holmes feasibility study for installing fish passage at the four lower-river hydro damsfish passage at the four lower-river hydro dams

1963 – 1966: Carlson study to determine biological 1963 – 1966: Carlson study to determine biological suitability of Susquehanna River for shad suitability of Susquehanna River for shad restorationrestoration

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEPASSAGE

ConowingoFish Trap1965

Photo from Carlson, 1968

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Modern restoration efforts (1970’s)Modern restoration efforts (1970’s)

1970: Settlement agreement to construct and 1970: Settlement agreement to construct and operate a fish trap at Conowingo Dam for 5 years; operate a fish trap at Conowingo Dam for 5 years; funding for collection of 50 million shad eggs per funding for collection of 50 million shad eggs per year; formation of SRAFRCyear; formation of SRAFRC

1972: Conowingo trap (the West Lift) goes into 1972: Conowingo trap (the West Lift) goes into operationoperation

Mid-1970’s: Relicensing of four lower-river projects Mid-1970’s: Relicensing of four lower-river projects begins; recommendations for fish passage; Van begins; recommendations for fish passage; Van Dyke shad hatchery establishedDyke shad hatchery established

1978: Gilbert Assoc. fishway conceptual design 1978: Gilbert Assoc. fishway conceptual design study at Conowingostudy at Conowingo

1979: Harza fishway conceptual design study at 1979: Harza fishway conceptual design study at Holtwood, Safe Harbor, York HavenHoltwood, Safe Harbor, York Haven

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Conowingo West Fish Lift – Built in 1972

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Modern restoration efforts (1980’s)Modern restoration efforts (1980’s)

1980: FERC issues four licenses, orders hearing to 1980: FERC issues four licenses, orders hearing to address fish passage issueaddress fish passage issue

1980: MD closes shad fishery, begins annual 1980: MD closes shad fishery, begins annual population estimatespopulation estimates

1981: SRAFRC sets restoration goals: 3 million 1981: SRAFRC sets restoration goals: 3 million shad, 20 million river herringshad, 20 million river herring

1984: Settlement agreement by Holtwood, Safe 1984: Settlement agreement by Holtwood, Safe Harbor, & York Haven licensees; provides funding Harbor, & York Haven licensees; provides funding for 10-year program to demonstrate if self-for 10-year program to demonstrate if self-sustaining populations could be restoredsustaining populations could be restored

1989: Conowingo licensee agrees to construct 1989: Conowingo licensee agrees to construct permanent fish lift; agencies request upstream permanent fish lift; agencies request upstream licensees to begin conceptual designslicensees to begin conceptual designs

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Modern restoration efforts (1990 - 2000)Modern restoration efforts (1990 - 2000)

1990 – 1991: Acres fishway conceptual design 1990 – 1991: Acres fishway conceptual design study at Holtwood, Safe Harbor, York Havenstudy at Holtwood, Safe Harbor, York Haven

1991: New Conowingo East Lift goes into 1991: New Conowingo East Lift goes into operation, initially trap and truckoperation, initially trap and truck

1992: Upstream licensees agree to construct 1992: Upstream licensees agree to construct permanent fish facilitiespermanent fish facilities

1997: New lifts in operation at Holtwood and Safe 1997: New lifts in operation at Holtwood and Safe HarborHarbor

2000: Vertical slot ladder in operation at York 2000: Vertical slot ladder in operation at York HavenHaven

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Conowingo East Lift - 1991

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Conowingo East Lift - 1991

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Holtwood Fish Lift - 1997

Photo courtesy of Chris Porse, PPL Holtwood LLC

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Holtwood Fish Lift - 1997

Photo courtesy of Chris Porse, PPL Holtwood LLC

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Holtwood Fish Lift - 1997

Photo courtesy of Chris Porse, PPL Holtwood LLC

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Safe Harbor Fish Lift1997

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Safe Harbor Fish Lift 1997

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

York Haven Fishway - 2000

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

York Haven 3-D Fishway Model

Courtesy of Acres International Corporation

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

York Haven Fishway

Photo courtesy of Kleinschmidt Energy & Water ResourceConsultants

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

Fish counts

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

YearYear ConowingoConowingo HoltwoodHoltwood S. HarborS. Harbor Y. HavenY. Haven

19721972 182182 nana nana nana

19731973 6565 nana nana nana

19741974 121121 nana nana nana

19751975 8787 nana nana nana

19761976 8282 nana nana nana

19771977 165165 nana nana nana

19781978 5454 nana nana nana

19791979 5050 nana nana nana

19801980 139139 nana nana nana

19811981 328328 nana nana nana

19821982 2,0392,039 nana nana nana

Fish passage counts

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

YearYear ConowingoConowingo HoltwoodHoltwood S. HarborS. Harbor Y. HavenY. Haven

19831983 413413 nana nana nana

19841984 167167 nana nana nana

19851985 1,5461,546 nana nana nana

19861986 5,1955,195 nana nana nana

19871987 7,6677,667 nana nana nana

19881988 5,1695,169 nana nana nana

19891989 8,3118,311 nana nana nana

19901990 15,96415,964 nana nana nana

1991199111 27,22727,227 nana nana nana

19921992 36,37536,375 nana nana nana

19931993 13,54613,546 nana nana nana

Fish passage counts

1 Conowingo East lift in operation

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

YearYear ConowingoConowingo HoltwoodHoltwood S. HarborS. Harbor Y. HavenY. Haven

19941994 32,33032,330 nana nana nana

19951995 61,65061,650 nana nana nana

19961996 37,51337,513 nana nana nana

1997199722 90,97190,971 28,06328,063 20,82820,828 nana

19981998 39,90439,904 8,2358,235 6,0546,054 nana

19991999 69,712 69,712 34,702 34,702 34,150 34,150 nana

20002000 153,546 153,546 29,421 29,421 21,079 21,079 4,675 4,675

20012001 193,574 193,574 109,976 109,976 89,816 89,816 16,200 16,200

20022002 108,001108,001 17,52217,522 11,70511,705 1,5551,555

20032003 125,135125,135 25,25425,254 16,64616,646 2,5362,536

Fish passage counts

2 Only Conowingo East Lift counts reported since upstream facilities placed into operation

(Source: Annual Progress Reports of the Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Committee)

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FISH PASSAGEFISH PASSAGE

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Conowingo tailrace population estimates and fish lift counts

TailracePopulation

FishLift

(Source: Annual Progress Reports of the SusquehannaRiver Anadromous Fish Restoration Committee)