Screening System Engineering

Screening System Engineering
Planning and design of fish exclusion screens and barriers begins with a site evaluation to better understand the river mechanics with regard to low water and high-water events, water demand by the user throughout the year, fish species present, physical constraints, environmental constraints, agency compliance, and operational and maintenance commitments for long-term compliant operation.

Our fisheries engineers have designed many examples of fish protection screens and barrier systems that operate successfully in virtually all river conditions including cold climates where frazzle and sheet ice are present.

Fish Screens

FSP fishery engineers have designed fish screen projects that range from small rural water intakes to major 1000 cubic foot per second (cfs) diversions. The designs incorporate many different types and configurations of screen systems that follow NOAA Fisheries criteria for design and operation. Each screen system is tailored to the intended application, ranging from modifications of existing intakes to new facilities. Screen systems include rotating-drum screens, vertical flat- plate screens, cylindrical screens/tee screens, cone screens, traveling belt screens, horizontal flat plat screens, koanda screens, infiltration galleries, and V-screens that keep out both fish and debris while letting water pass through. Cleaning systems for these applications range from compressed air or high-pressure water to brush-type systems to remove accumulated debris.

Surface water intakes designed by FSPs Engineers:

  • WDFW: Tumwater Falls Hatchery (20 cfs), Inclined Flat Plate, Air Burst
  • WDFW: Dungeness Hatchery (70 cfs) Retractable T-Screens, Brushed
  • Walla Walla Conservation District: Garrison Creek Diversion (10 cfs) Vertical Flat Plate, Brushed

Exclusion Barriers & Traps

FSP fisheries engineers have experience assessing existing, designing, and modernizing existing exclusion barriers and traps to meet NOAA Fisheries criteria. Our fish exclusion and trap experience encompass various structures in a multitude of applications.

The type of barrier system used is dependent upon fish species, site constraints, and river conditions. We have designed, oversaw construction of, and assisted in the operation of physical barriers spanning rivers that incorporated adult trapping facilities. We designed numerous physical barrier systems, guidance panels and full weirs, velocity barrier structures, and terminal barrier screens. In addition, we designed resistant board, hydraulic and floating picket barriers with simple to complex auxiliary trapping, sorting, and transfer facilities.

Fish Exclusion Barriers and Trapping Facilities Designed by FSPs Engineers:

  • SBT: Pettit Creek Fixed Weir
  • DCPUD: Twisp River Floating Picket Weir
  • DCPUD: Chewuch Floating Picket Weir
  • USFWS: San Bernadino Velicity Barrier
  • NPTH: Lostine Satellite Hydraulic Weir