Acoustic surveys of fish distributions in the Morgantown SES intake embayment. Technical note

Impingement of fish on power plant intake screens is one means by which plant operations can cause decreases in fish populations. A knowledge of factors influencing the magnitude of impingement might suggest possible modifications of intake structures or operations which would minimize fish mortality. One factor contributing to impingement may be the presence of a semi-enclosed intake embayment in front of the intake screens. Large concentrations of fish have frequently been observed in such structures, where vulnerability to impingement would appear to be high. This study was conducted to test an acoustic method for surveying fish distribution in intake embayments. Work was performed at the Potomac Electric Power Company's Morgantown plant in Charles County, Maryland.