Agreement Number
12-211
Awardee Name
Clark Fork Coalition
Grant Type
Classic
Project Title
Evaluation of Watson Horizontal flat-rate fish screen in Montana
Awardee State/Territory
Montana
Involved States/territories
Montana
Award Year
2012
Start Date
End Date
Award Amount
$54,066.00
Production/Use
Natural Areas
Resource Concern (Broad)
Habitat
Resource Concern (Specific)
Aquatic Organism Passage
Wildlife habitat
Conservation Practice(s)
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management
Structures for Wildlife
Project Background
The overall goal of the project is to evaluate, improve and promote a promising fish screen technology for small-scale irrigation diversions that is locally fabricated in Montana. Specific Objectives:
• Procure expert evaluation of the Watson screens hydraulic performance in its current form, and provide recommendations for the fabricator to modify and improve his screen design. Measurable outcome: Professional analysis of hydraulics of existing screen and concrete proposals to improve the design.
• Evaluate the biological performance of several variants of the Watson screen with fry and/or juvenile size Oncorhynchus trout, and incorporate biological criteria into modified designs. Measurable outcome: New designs for Watson flat-plate screens adapted to meet or closely approach NMFS criteria for application on bull trout streams, and a less expensive design for westslope cutthroat streams.
• Develop design guidelines for sizing and installing the modified Watson flat-plate fish screens, and train engineers and engineering techs from NRCS and other entities in selecting appropriate sites for their use; offer guidance on alternative fish screen options where the Watson flat-plate will not work. Measurable outcome: Provide training and tools for designing locallv fabricated flat-plate fish screen installations in Montana that meet criteria for native fish conservation.
• Promote appropriate fish screens with conservation leaders in the agricultural community, educating the public about the issues and opportunities for conserving native fish with improved fish screens, and facilitate their installation and maintenance with irrigators. Measurable outcome: Double the number of effective fish screens installed on irrigation canals in the Upper Clark Fork in two years.
• Procure expert evaluation of the Watson screens hydraulic performance in its current form, and provide recommendations for the fabricator to modify and improve his screen design. Measurable outcome: Professional analysis of hydraulics of existing screen and concrete proposals to improve the design.
• Evaluate the biological performance of several variants of the Watson screen with fry and/or juvenile size Oncorhynchus trout, and incorporate biological criteria into modified designs. Measurable outcome: New designs for Watson flat-plate screens adapted to meet or closely approach NMFS criteria for application on bull trout streams, and a less expensive design for westslope cutthroat streams.
• Develop design guidelines for sizing and installing the modified Watson flat-plate fish screens, and train engineers and engineering techs from NRCS and other entities in selecting appropriate sites for their use; offer guidance on alternative fish screen options where the Watson flat-plate will not work. Measurable outcome: Provide training and tools for designing locallv fabricated flat-plate fish screen installations in Montana that meet criteria for native fish conservation.
• Promote appropriate fish screens with conservation leaders in the agricultural community, educating the public about the issues and opportunities for conserving native fish with improved fish screens, and facilitate their installation and maintenance with irrigators. Measurable outcome: Double the number of effective fish screens installed on irrigation canals in the Upper Clark Fork in two years.
Project Scale
Regional
Project targeted to Historically Underserved producers?
No
Final Report URL
Awardee Technical Contact Name
William McDowell