Lake Seminole 2

Smith-Root provided the technology for these barriers to contain valuable sterile grass carp.

Location: Chattahoochee, Florida
Commissioned: 1997

Type: Lake

Project description

Vegetation in Lake Seminole threatened its use by recreational boaters. Several significant embayments were set aside to be cropped by sterile (triploid) grass carp. After trials of alternative systems, Smith-Root was engaged to design and install small electric barriers at three points of entry and exit of boat traffic so that these parts of the lake could be stocked. Since these are valuable fish, it is necessary to keep them contained.

The electrodes are concentric rings of steel cable, bottom-mounted on short piles, operating continuously. They have been replaced during routine maintenance several times as expected due to anodic corrosion.

This highly effective barrier was featured in the Winter 1999 issue of “Highlights of Agricultural Research”. Read the article here.

Services provided

Civil and structural design of barriers
Electrical and electronic design of the pulsators and power supply systems
Construction of three barriers
Regular maintenance since 1997

Site characteristics

Pulsators: 1.5kVA POW
Pulsator Qty: 1
Power Output: 1.5 kW max.
Water Depth: 6 feet
Waterway Width: 20 feet
Water Velocity: 0 ft./s
Conductivity: 200 µs/cm max.