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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

KEI (USA) Power Management Inc. Reports on Fish Passage Operational Report for American Tissue Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

KEI (USA) Power Management Inc. has submitted the 2024 Annual Fish Passage Operational Report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, detailing the fish passage operations and effectiveness monitoring at the American Tissue Hydroelectric Project. The report highlights the efforts of KEI (USA) in ensuring the safe passage of American eels and anadromous fish through the project. Key takeaways from the report emphasize the importance of the fish passage facilities and the commitment of KEI (USA) to maintaining a high level of operational effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

  • KEI (USA) collected and passed 2,872 juvenile American eels upstream at the American Tissue Project in 2024, with most eels captured and passed in July through mid-August.
  • The Downstream American Eel Passage facility was operated from August 15 through November 15 in 2024, with 7 separate occasions of eel observation, including 2 adult eels in the collection tank on September 18th.
  • No injured or dead eels were observed in the fishway outfall area or at the intake rack area during the 2024 eel migration season.
  • KEI (USA) installed a screen at the exit of the collection tank to capture migrants and observe their condition, with all eels observed to be healthy and in good condition.
  • Upstream anadromous fish passage facilities have not yet been required due to downstream migration barriers, with the downstream anadromous fish passage facility being operational for the 2020 migration season.
  • KEI (USA) conducted weekly observations of the intake, fish bypass, plunge pool, and tailrace for the presence of migrants and any observed to be injured or dead in the downstream fish passage season of 2024.

Statistics:

  • Upstream American Eel Passage: 2,872 juvenile American eels collected and passed in 2024.
  • Downstream American Eel Passage: 7 occasions of eel observation in 2024.
  • Downstream Anadromous Fish Passage: a few out-migrating juvenile river herring were observed in the headpond and using the downstream fish passage system in 2024.
  • Overall Eel Passage Success Rate: 100% of eels observed to be healthy and in good condition (on 7 separate occasions).
  • Minimum sized eel observed: 2 inches
  • Maximum sized eel observed: 2.8 feet

Sources:

  • KEI (USA) Power Management Inc., 2024 Annual Fish Passage Operational Report, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated April 23, 2025.
  • American Tissue Operation Compliance Monitoring Plan and Fishway Operation and Maintenance Plan (FOMP) filed with the commission on April 19, 2021.

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