SERVICES PROVIDED:

• Study Planning
• Sample Collection
• Data Analysis
• Health Assessment
• Performance Assessment

SUMMARY:   The Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) in Washington State produces over four million juvenile anadromous and resident Pacific salmonids annually for stocking the Upper Columbia River and surrounding waters.  These fish are currently raised in a series of facilities that employ traditional flow-through rearing units.  As water supply and discharge permits in the region become increasingly restricted, PUD managers are looking ahead at the possibility of adopting new technologies, such as partial water reuse systems, for raising fish.  Water reuse systems are capable of conserving water, concentrating waste for ease in removal and increasing overall prodction capacity.

CHALLENGE:  In order to choose the partial reuse technology over traditional raceway rearing units, hatchery managers expect comparable, if not superior, fish health and performance from fish raised in the new systems.

SOLUTION:  During the winter of 2008 a partial water reuse system was installed at the Eastbank Hatchery in Wenatchee, Washington, and professionals from the Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute were commissioned as a third party to evaluate the health of fish reared in the pilot system relative to those raised in the older flow-through units.  An observational cohort study was carried out between June and November to assess the performance, health and welfare of Juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha reared in the new reuse system relative to salmon from the same spawn reared in a nearby raceway.

RESULTS:  Findings of this observational study indicated that fish reared in the partial reuse system performed as well as their raceway comparisons in terms of growth and survival.  The results of this pilot study demonstrate that juvenile Chinook salmon can be raised in a water efficient reuse system environment with comparable performance and survival to those reared in traditional flow-through raceways.

The National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) in Franklin, Maine dedicated its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 27, 2008. The Freshwater Institute’s Engineering Services provided design and construction phase support for the aquaculture systems in this new $22.7 million facility.

The Governor of Maine, John Baldacci, U.S. House of Representative Michael Michaud, Edward Knipling, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service Administrator, Robert Kennedy, President of the University of Maine and other dignitaries were present to call attention to the importance of the new facility for the future of aquaculture in Maine.

Summary

Established by the USDA ARS, the focus of this new center is to develop technologies which will improve the efficiency and sustainability of cold water marine aquaculture and ensure safe abundant seafood for US consumers.

Challenge

Wild Atlantic salmon stocks are now listed as endangered and the aquaculture industry is integral to meeting the public’s demand for Atlantic salmon products. US salmon farmers are relying on research from the new NCWMAC facilities to assist them in becoming more competitive in the global marketplace.

Solution

The fish production systems that the Freshwater Institute designed for the NCWMAC readily met the intended program objectives. The Franklin location has limited ground water. The Freshwater Institute therefore developed systems that treat and reuse over 98% of the water flow necessary to culture the relatively large number of salmon required for the research program. In addition, evaluation of the facility’s effluent treatment system demonstrates far superior waste capture than traditional flow-through fish culture systems. The use of groundwater, reuse culture technologies, and effective biosecurity protocols have all contributed to fish health certification of the facility and its fish stocks; no pathogens have been reported in any fish health examinations, and antibiotic use has not been required. Barriers were designed and installed to prevent the escape of fish or fish pathogens. Additionally, water temperature in the fish culture systems are maintained by passive heating or cooling, which conserves energy and eliminates the need for an expensive supplemental heating or cooling.

Partner: Chelan County Public Utility District

Services Provided:

• Production Modeling
• Infrastructure Planning
• Conceptual Design

 

Summary: The Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) rears Pacific salmon and steelhead associated with the Upper Columbia River as part of anadromous fish agreements and habitat conservation plans for its Rocky Reach and Rock Island Hydroelectric Projects. The Chelan County PUD fish rearing commitment encompasses multiple programs to produce over 4.8 million juvenile fish in total. In the next four to six years the Chelan County PUD anticipates making significant investments in its existing fish rearing programs to meet habitat conservation plan commitments for fish production.

Challenge: Chelan County PUD commitments for 2003–2013 call for increases in the production levels of pacific anadromous stocks. The existing infrastructure is not adequate to meet the increased production levels for the new hatchery program.

Solution: Analysis of the hatchery program is accomplished in two steps: bio-programming and alternatives analysis. Bio-programming results in a detailed model of fish growth and the rearing requirements of each stock. Alternatives analysis builds on the rearing requirements identified in the bio-programming step and compares requirements to existing infrastructure and capacity for pre-defined alternative fish rearing plans.

Results: The result of bio-programming and alternatives analysis is a detailed identification of gaps in water flow and fish rearing volume requirements based on criteria set forth in the PUD’s habitat conservation plans. The PUD will address these identified gaps and meet increased fish production requirements through investments in new infrastructure and facilities.

To find out more about the Chelan County PUD click here to visit their website.

 PARTNERS:  A Cooperative Agreement funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

CHALLENGE:  U.S. consumers are increasingly demanding a cost-competitive, safe, reliable animal protein supply which is appealing, nutritious, and raised with minimal environmental impacts.  Controlled intensive aquaculture systems are intrinsically secure agriculture systems in which aquatic animals are produced in semi-closed environments with protected water supplies.  Inputs to the systems can be controlled, so quality assurance is comparatively easier to achieve than in some other animal confinement systems.  Controlled intensive aquacultural production systems are poised to expand to a larger role in the aquaculture production of the U.S. domestic edible seafood supply.

SOLUTION:  This project uses a multi-disciplinary approach to develop and evaluate solutions to major challenges that delay expansion of the aquaculture industry.  The major objectives of this project are: 

• To develop and evaluate solutions which improve efficiencies of scale and reduce water quality constraints for sustainable production in controlled intensive aquaculture systems.
• To develop and evaluate sustainable waste management technologies which result in environmentally compatible controlled intensive aquaculture systems.

OUTCOMES:  This research will advance the capacity to produce a nutritious seafood product in an aquaculture system that is secure, reliable, and both economically and environmentally sustainable.  Improvements in resource and capital efficiencies for controlled intensive aquaculture systems will result in better production systems, management practices, and expanded market and investment opportunities for domestic aquaculture production.  The research will result in more sustainable and globally competitive aquaculture systems for U.S. farmers.  This work is relevant to consumers demanding cost competitive, high quality fish raised in environmentally friendly production systems, fish farmers producing a variety of freshwater and marine species in tank-based systems, and scientists and consultants who design and evaluate sustainable land-based finfish production systems.

Partner: Arizona Game & Fish Department, Bubbling Ponds Hatchery

Services Provided:

Production Modeling

Infrastructure Planning

Conceptual Design

 
 
 
 
 

Summary: The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) raises razorback suckers for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at Bubbling Ponds Hatchery. Razorback suckers are an endangered species native to the Colorado River Basin. AZGFD currently raises razorback suckers in outdoor ponds at the hatchery, where it typically takes two years to grow the razorbacks to a target stocking size of 12 inches. Fish growth in the ponds is extremely variable and requires the ponds to be harvested several times a year, which is labor intensive. Recommendations were made for installing a new fish culture system with circular tanks in place of one of the existing ponds at the hatchery site.

Challenge: Razorback suckers have been reared at Bubbling Ponds Hatchery for the last ten years; however there are still many biological uncertainties associated with culturing the fish. The current pond environment is open and uncontrolled, making it difficult to determine optimum environmental parameters for the fish. Additionally, the AZGFD is interested in using circular tanks for the new culture system, yet the response of razorback suckers to a circular tank environment with current velocity is not known.

Solution: The existing infrastructure and needs at Bubbling Ponds Hatchery were evaluated during a site visit and different razorback sucker culture techniques were discussed. Culture system planning was completed and conceptual designs were developed. Designs utilized the existing spring water supply and drain lines at the hatchery and also incorporated overall system flexibility for long term programmatic use.

Results: Three different culture system designs were presented to the AZGFD pending the results of an initial trial raising razorbacks in circular tanks. Conceptual cost estimates were provided for each design, which the AZGFD is currently using to develop a strategy to implement Phase I of the design.

Partner: USDA ARS, National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center

Services Provided:

Program Planning

Production Modeling

Conceptual Design

Final Design

Construction Administration

Operational Assistance

Summary: The National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) is a new research facility established by USDA ARS to improve the efficiency and sustainability of coldwater marine finfish farming. The initial focus of center research in Franklin is the development of an Atlantic salmon breeding program to improve fish growth and other economically important traits in stocks that are entirely composed of North American germplasm. Production modeling and bioprogramming for the Franklin facility were completed in 2004 and the final design of the aquaculture systems was completed in 2005. Construction began in 2006 and was completed in the spring of 2007.

Challenge: Researchers wanted a flexible facility to raise Atlantic salmon from eggs to 4-year-old fish that met strict biosecurity standards. The nature of available water supply sources at the site necessitated the use of recirculation technologies. Additionally, all effluent from the facility had to be filtered, disinfected, and fish excluded prior to being discharged into the bay.

Solution: Eight separate production systems were designed, enabling the facility to culture 200+ salmon families. Seven recirculating systems, ranging in size from 1,000 to 5,000 L/min, were designed for the salmon breeding program. A disinfected surface water source and three wells onsite provide makeup water at a range of salinities (0–35 ppt) to all systems, satisfying individual bioplan requirements. Recirculating systems include microscreen filtration, biological filtration, carbon dioxide removal, supplemental oxygenation, ozonation, and ultraviolet treatments. The wastewater treatment system designed for the facility includes solids filtration, thickening, and storage; fish and egg escapement prevention; and effluent disinfection.

Results: Construction of the facility was completed ahead of schedule in the spring of 2007. The fish culture systems were subsequently stocked with fish that were being raised in temporary facilities.

  

Services: 

• Initial Scoping and Planning
• Facilitate the process for including public and professional input
• Develop Work Plan
• Perform Geospatial Analysis
• Revise Analysis Based on Public Input
  

Summary:  Jefferson County, WV is imperiled by fragmented patterns of growth that disrupt normal ecosystem functions, community vitality, and limiting future opportunities. The continued protection of the County’s diverse natural and rural landscapes, and economic vitality rely on the conservation of its unique ecological and cultural geography.

Challenge:  Current land conservation efforts in the United States are largely reactive, site specific, narrowly focused, and poorly integrated with land use planning and growth management efforts.  Developing a set of recommendations to conserve the green infrastructure of Jefferson County represents an opportunity to guide the pattern of future growth and development by incorporating green infrastructure into land use planning to provide a framework for sustainable development.

Solutions:  Green Infrastructure provides a strategic approach to land and water conservation that identifies conservation priorities and provides a planning framework for conservation and development. Emphasizing the importance of protecting large blocks of contiguous land and establishing connectivity, a green infrastructure approach aims to establish a matrix of natural areas, conservation lands, and working landscapes.

Results: Incorporating community and professional comments, The Conservation Fund and Freshwater Institute produced a report and datasets identifying the most valuable and vulnerable lands for protection and appropriate areas for development.

Benefits:

• Sustained Quantity and Quality of Ground and Surface Waters
• Vital Agricultural Community and Working Landscapes
• Preserved Cultural Legacy
• Protected Habitat
• Consideration of natural resource conservation, environmental and public health, and quality of life issues in the land use planning process
• Provides predictability and certainty

 

Partners:

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
West Virginia Conservation Agency
West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Cacapon Institute

 

 

 

Services:

• Geospatial Analysis
• Cartography
• Facilitate Stakeholder Participation and Input
• Compile and Analyze Data for Stakeholder Assessment
  

Summary:  While the Chesapeake Bay has played important roles in our nation’s heritage, the current impacts of pollution have created environmental consequences for the bay.  In an effort to restore the bay’s health, jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to substantially reduce the flow of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment to the Bay by setting maximum amounts for each of these pollutants by 2010. 

Challenge:  States were left to determine their methods to achieve the agreed-upon reductions or else face stricter regulatory environment in the future.

Solutions:
Working with a DEP facilitator, Freshwater Institute staff produced maps and other documentation to improve the stakeholder decision-making process.  We shared that information with the public via printed documents, presentations and a website. 

Results: West Virginia Potomac Tributary Strategy and Implementation Plan

 

Partner:  Fingerlakes Aquaculture, LLC

Services Provided:

• Engineering Evaluation
• Field Testing
• Conceptual Design
• Detail Design

 

 

Summary:  Fingerlakes Aquaculture, LLC is a commercial tilapia farm that was originally designed to produce 1.2 million pounds of tilapia per year.  However, the farm’s existing recirculating production systems were operating inefficiently, yielding lower than intended production.  The existing systems and unit processes were evaluated and modifications to system components were recommended and designed to improve fish culture environments and fish growth.

Challenge:  The farm was experiencing lower than expected production in its recirculating systems, which was attributable to poor water quality from inefficient treatment processes.

Solution:  The existing conditions and operational characteristics of the tilapia recirculating systems were evaluated and the primary limitations to increased production were identified.  Problems identified included poor control of solids, carbon dioxide, and total ammonia nitrogen in the culture systems.  Modifications to the existing systems were proposed to address the problems that compromised water quality and fish growth.

Results:  Recommended modifications were implemented, which resulted in improved water quality and increased fish production.  Proposed system modifications included design drawings, cost estimates, and expected operational and production improvements.