Pere Marquette River Electrical Barrier
Download the Fish Passage data (Last update: Aug 1,2008)
PM Electric Barrier Opperations 2000-2006 (Posted: December 05,2006)
Pere Marquette 2005 Summary
The electric barrier and fishway pump were activated for the season on 3 March 2005. Because of ice in the pipe, the attraction water pump was not operational until 7 March. The electrical barrier was fully operational until 1 August 2005 when it was shut off for the season. Both pumps and the fishway operated continuously (24/7) until Friday, 24 June. From 24 June until the end of the season the fishway was operated only during the week. During this time both pumps were off from 1630 on Friday until 0800 on Monday.
Electrical Field Interruptions - The electrical field was maintained throughout the season. The only interruptions were two 20 second generator delays.
- 9 May - Power outage occurred at 2000 hours lasting for about 1 hour. Backup generator functioned properly and the electrical field remained on.
- 29 June - Power outage occurred at 2200 hours and lasted only 2 minutes. Backup generator functioned properly and the electrical field remained on.
Fishway - The fishway and fish counting equipment and software operated throughout the season, with 7157 steelhead, 6683 suckers, 130 brown trout, and 59 chinook passing, with only a few minor interruptions. A total of 316 sea lampreys were captured at the weir.
- 9 May- Pumps off at 1200 hours off due to power outage until 0800 hours on 10 May.
- 3 May - Fishway pump off at 2245 hours, restarted 0015 on 4 May.
- 29 June - Pumps off 2200 hours due to power outage until 0800 hours 10 May.
- From 7 July through 18 July the attraction water pump was off six times due to overloaded circuit breaker when operator arrived in the mourning.
- 19 July - Because of problems with the circuit breaker the attraction water pump was off through the end of the season.
- Several times during the season the intake for pumps was 90% plugged due to low water and debris, resulting in the pump well level dropping several feet below the river level. Low water in the intake well may have contributed to fish getting sucked into the pumps.
Maintenance
- Vibration, amp draw, and meger tests were preformed as part of preventive maintenance program.
- New air conditioner was installed in pulsator building.
- Large gaps around the pump intake grating were covered.
- New grating was installed at lower end of attraction water channel.
- Fence was repaired on north side of river.
- More stone was added to areas around the fishway.
