The present invention relates to fish guiding assemblies, and, more particularly, to such assemblies which are readily assembled and which include replaceable components and fish guiding methods of using such assemblies.
Various techniques are presently used adjacent dam spillways and water intakes in an effort to divert fish away therefrom including physical barriers, ultrasound generators, lures and the like. In some instances, nets and other barriers guide the fish into safe passages such as bypass conduits.
It is known that fish are generally averse to moving into areas of turbulence and will generally avoid structures generating turbulence in a moving stream. Thus, a perforate wall in a stream can serve to guide fish into a channel by reason of the turbulence which the wall will generate while allowing the water to pass therethrough. Unfortunately, such wall structures may require frequent repair, particularly as the result of damage caused by debris impinging thereon, and they are generally costly to fabricate. Moreover, the wall structure may not generate sufficient turbulence to deter the fish from approaching the openings or structure and therefore permit them to pass therethrough.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fish guiding assembly which floats within a flowing stream and which may be readily assembled.
It is also an object to provide such a fish guiding assembly which utilizes replaceable slat assemblies to provide turbulence as well as permit water flow therethrough.
Another object is to provide such a fish guiding assembly which enables facile replacement of sections which may be damaged and which also allows facile change of spacing and orientation of the turbulence producing elements.
A further object is to provide a novel method for guiding fish using a fish guiding assembly which is relatively economical to fabricate and to modify.