Hydrodynamic Simulation of Upper Mississippi River Fish Passage Facility Performance

Abstract Submission: The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) system of 29 locks and dams helps to maintain a 9-foot-deep navigation channel, which allows commercial navigation between St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has significant economic importance. However, under normal river conditions, the locks and dams impede longitudinal movement of fish. Fish have only intermittent opportunities to move past the facilities during lock chamber operations or high river flows, when gated spillways are fully open and head drops across dams are relatively small. Restrictions in longitudinal movement reduce access to feeding, spawning, and overwintering habitat, affecting genetic diversity, population levels, and overall ecosystem health.

As part of the National Information Collaboration for Ecohydraulics (NICE), centered at Auburn University and managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), we are participating in an ongoing investigation of UMR fish passage. Beginning with Melvin Price Lock and Dam at Alton, Illinois, we are simulating hydrodynamic features of lock and dam facilities and evaluating potential impacts of fish passage alternatives. Hydrodynamic models will ultimately be coupled with agent-based behavioral models to predict fish response to physical cues and guide design.

Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) :