Fish become a problem...

[Rich McVey]

I wonder if they need some help?


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http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fish ... 26586.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fish become a problem for 520 Bridge pontoons

ABERDEEN, Wash. -- A number of giant concrete bridge pontoons are ready to make their way to the 520 Bridge from Aberdeen, but officials first had to solve a unique problem before the pontoons could float away.

In order for the project to work, the state and private crews building the pontoons had to open the doors to Grays Harbor, letting in water and everything that floats with it, including thousands of fish.

"We drop a screen on the outside to keep them from coming back in, but that's only so effective," said pontoon engineer Dave Ziegler. "We know there's going to be fish left in the basin."

As the water level dropped to 7-10 feet, fish herders moved the 18 different species of fish into a corner, where they were lifted out to the safety of Grays Harbor.

Ten thousand fish survived, but another 5,000 to 7,000 did not.

Despite those numbers, the Department of Transportation considers the mission a success.

"We didn't know how many fish we were going to get in the basin, but we were able to handle the volume that we could find," Ziegler said.

The fish roundup will happen several more times as workers continue to make pontoons for the 520 Bridge. The first six pontoons are tied up at the Port of Aberdeen for final inspection before tug boats bring them up the coast and into the Puget Sound.

Department of Transportation officials are still waiting for word about when that will happen.

[MotoBoat]

I wonder if they need some help?


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http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fish ... 26586.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fish become a problem for 520 Bridge pontoons

ABERDEEN, Wash. -- A number of giant concrete bridge pontoons are ready to make their way to the 520 Bridge from Aberdeen, but officials first had to solve a unique problem before the pontoons could float away.

In order for the project to work, the state and private crews building the pontoons had to open the doors to Grays Harbor, letting in water and everything that floats with it, including thousands of fish.

"We drop a screen on the outside to keep them from coming back in, but that's only so effective," said pontoon engineer Dave Ziegler. "We know there's going to be fish left in the basin."

As the water level dropped to 7-10 feet, fish herders moved the 18 different species of fish into a corner, where they were lifted out to the safety of Grays Harbor.

Ten thousand fish survived, but another 5,000 to 7,000 did not.

Despite those numbers, the Department of Transportation considers the mission a success.

"We didn't know how many fish we were going to get in the basin, but we were able to handle the volume that we could find," Ziegler said.

The fish roundup will happen several more times as workers continue to make pontoons for the 520 Bridge. The first six pontoons are tied up at the Port of Aberdeen for final inspection before tug boats bring them up the coast and into the Puget Sound.

Department of Transportation officials are still waiting for word about when that will happen.

FyI Rich, there is a typo above. Should read: "ten thousand fish survived, but another 500 to 700 did not". Not 5,000 to 7,000

There is something "fishy" in the story. there are several 'fish" round up's to occur. Yet they know how many fish did not make it? Is the story saying: during the relocation of 10,000 fish, 500-700 did not survive? Or avoided capture during this round?

[Bryne Chum]

I think the 5-700 were probly what died in the holding tank/s

[Rich McVey]

They posted an update:

Editor's Note: In the original version, we erroneously said 5,000-7,000 fish did not survive, but it has since been corrected to 500-700