Laboratory Evaluation of Fine-mesh Traveling Screens for Protecting Larval Fish at Cooling Water Intake Structures

The main objective of the study was to determine the post-collection survival of larval fish when exposed to compounding stresses of screen impingement and transfer.  In particular, the project sought to determine the effects of water velocity and duration of impingement on survival. This was a multi-year, multi-phase study that included small-scale, tabletop testing along with large-scale prototype testing involving multiple species.

Survival was evaluated for impingement and entrainment of larval fish of differing sizes and species. Initial testing was done in smaller, tabletop test flumes to allow extensive replication and to help in the selection of test conditions and variables to be used in the large flume testing.  Testing was then moved to a large scale flume, using three different prototypes of traveling screens. Collection efficiency and survival rates were measured for different species, fish sizes, and flow velocities.