Balancing ecology, resilience and recreation
Led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, FishPass is a landmark initiative tackling critical infrastructure limitations and ecological threats in the Boardman/Ottaway River. Central to the effort is the replacement of the aging Union Street Dam with a modern facility designed to improve fish passage while blocking invasive species, particularly the destructive sea lamprey. In doing so, the project advances native species protection, boosts ecosystem resilience, and supports recreation and community use across the region.
Our team designed the new dam structure to meet both hydraulic capacity and ecological performance requirements. Extensive modeling and analysis were conducted to protect the upstream Boardman Lake from undesirable species and preserve its recreational value. We developed solutions to address complex challenges related to municipal utilities and public amenities, including the use of temporary controls such as sheet piling.
The proposed design delivers several important benefits:
- The arc-labyrinth weir has a compact footprint and is engineered to handle extreme storm events while maintaining the upstream water levels at or near historical levels.
- The weir design includes features that block sea lamprey, such as a small overhang and elevation drop.
- The fish research channels support research and development of selective fish passage solutions. They are designed to house research equipment for data collection and to balance flows with the naturalized river channel for comparative ongoing research.
- The headworks area allows for managing water flow and sorting fish, while the parallel channel layout supports a flexible, modular approach.
By including advanced fish sorting technologies and a nature-like bypass channel, we have laid the groundwork for the project’s goals of improving fish passage, safeguarding native species, and supporting community needs.
Our innovative design and engineering solutions, in conjunction with design input from the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission and its partners, demonstrate the power of sustainable practices and advanced technologies in promoting ecological balance and environmental stewardship.
Learn more about FishPass here: Great Lakes Fishery Commission – FishPass