International eel symposium, 2003 - Quebec August 11, 2003
Oral Presentation

Review of Current and Future EPRI Sponsored Research for American Eel Protection at Hydroelectric Projects

Dixon, D.A.* EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), Palo Alto, California, USA

Presenter email address: ddixon AT epri.com

Abstract Text: Provision of upstream passage for American eels and protecting downstream migrants continues to be a challenge for the eastern U.S. hydroelectric industry. EPRI, an industry funded research institution, has and will continue to sponsor research and information distribution related to upstream and downstream passage issues. My presentation will review the key findings of the EPRI sponsored 2000 AFS catadromous eel symposium (recently published AFS Symposium Series 33), review of hydroelectric project impacts on U.S. eel stocks, and review of technology for protecting downstream migrating eels. Ongoing and future EPRI sponsored research will also be reviewed including (1) field-testing of bar racks and louvers for protecting downstream migrating eels, (2) movement of American eels in the Shenandoah River, VA, (2) downstream migration patterns at the Rainbow Dam in Connecticut, and (4) preparation of a manual on upstream passage of American eels. Key research needs relative to protecting eels at hydroelectric projects and for better understanding American eel stock dynamics will be reviewed.