Ensuring safe fish passage at high-head dams is one of the toughest challenges for hydropower and river management worldwide. These towering barriers, while vital for human energy needs, frequently block essential upstream migration routes of species like salmon and trout. Traditional fish ladders and lifts, although longstanding, often struggle with adaptability, species diversity, and fluctuating river flows at greater heights. These methods can lead to lower passage efficiency, increased fish stress, and delayed breeding cycles. At Whooshh Innovations, we tackle these issues by designing efficient, species-tailored technologies to facilitate seamless migration over significant vertical barriers while minimizing handling and ecological disturbance. Here’s what you must know about high head dam fish passage solution. 

The PassagePortal™ Model L: Revolutionizing High Head Dam Fish Passage

Central to Whooshh’s innovation is the PassagePortal™ Model L system, engineered specifically for high-head dam fish passage challenges. Unlike conventional ladders, this technology uses differential air pressure and misted, cooled tubes to transport fish over heights exceeding 700 feet and distances up to 1,700 feet. The system offers selective, species-specific passage, enhancing survival while reducing delays and predation risks. Unlike traditional ladders that depend on water flow and energy, PassagePortal™ maintains consistent performance even during adverse climate conditions such as warming water, which can hamper fish ladder effectiveness.

The PassagePortal™ Model L is also equipped with an adjustable ASP Fishway that attracts fish naturally to the entry point by optimizing depth, angle, and flow conditions, encouraging volitional entry. Once fish enter, they pass through the FishlRecognition™ system, incorporating numerous 4K optical and infrared cameras, which instantly identifies species, size, hatchery origin, and injury status using advanced AI algorithms. This identification allows the system to selectively route fish to different MigratorTubes™ or diversion chutes, thereby managing invasive species and protecting native populations.

Importantly, the pneumatic tubes are misted gently to regulate temperature and lubricate fish passage, minimizing physical stress and scale loss. The system’s modular design means it can be customized or expanded with additional Booster systems to suit diverse site requirements. Moreover, because it relies primarily on air pressure rather than hydraulic flow, the system can allocate more water to hydropower production, improving plant efficiency by up to 10% while still ensuring high passage success.

Smart Monitoring with FishlRecognition™ Technology

Effective fish passage is as much about movement as it is about management. Whooshh’s PassagePortal™ integrates FishlRecognition™ technology for automated, handsfree fish monitoring. Cameras and sensors capture crucial data such as species, size, and passage timing without physically handling the fish, greatly reducing stress and injury. The system empowers fisheries managers with real-time insights to track migration success, identify population trends, and anticipate ecological threats. This data-driven approach allows for targeted conservation strategies and ensures regulatory compliance in a non-intrusive manner. Continuous monitoring converts traditional, labor-intensive tracking into a proactive, precise stewardship practice.

Balancing Low Head and High Head Dam Solutions for Ecosystem Health

While high-head dams pose significant vertical migration challenges, low head dam fish passage requires its own innovative solutions. Whooshh Innovations addresses this spectrum by providing scalable, adaptable technologies for both low and high head environments. The diversity in fish species and river conditions means a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. Complementing PassagePortal™ technology with customized low-head fish passage methods ensures a comprehensive migratory corridor that preserves ecosystem integrity. Together, these solutions bridge gaps in connectivity, fostering genetic diversity and supporting resilient aquatic populations across fragmented watersheds.

The Future of Hydropower: Sustainable and Smart Fish Passage

Looking forward, the integration of advanced pneumatic transport and AI monitoring within fish passage systems heralds a new era in sustainable hydropower. Whooshh Innovations continuously advances these technologies to meet increasing ecological and regulatory demands, providing hydropower facilities with tools to enhance fish survival without sacrificing operational efficiency. We envision smart, adaptive fish passage networks powered by real-time data analytics and integrated ecosystem management. By addressing both high head and low head dam challenges with modular, scalable solutions, we aim to restore river connectivity and biodiversity, ensuring these vital waterways continue to function as nature and industry partners.