Researchers Build American Eels an 'Eelevator' (upi.com)

randomErr writes: Bad pun aside, Cornell researchers have built a solution to help migrating eels bypass dams on their journey upstream. They call their solution the "eelevator." "Dams are one of the main impediments to the recovery of American eels," reports UPI. "The removal of old dams has proven a boon to the endangered species, but many dams remain and not all can be demolished. [...] Eel ladders have been installed along a number of dams, but the newest device is liftable and works with the assistance of human volunteers. Eels looking to move upstream can climb a ramp of netting, kept wet by hoses, into a holding tank of circulating water. Twice a week, volunteers can check to see if eels have arrived. The tank can be raised, like an elevator, and the water deposited into the river above the dam." This is similar to a concept implemented by the Isle of Wight's Island Roads, Environment Agency, Arc Consulting, and Artecology back in May.

Comments

Interesting but common practice

[pjabardo]

Interesting and important project but such elevators have been built in dams all over the world, perhaps not for eels specifically. I have personally seen one in Brazil and know of others. Some species of fish can't or won't use ladders. Biologists also get to count and measure the species going up the elevator. I guess that accurate measurement of migration of several species is a very difficult process. I have no idea how effective these elevators are.