Telemark Canal

Canal-style electric fish barrier installed downstream of Kjeldal Lock on the Telemark Canal to prevent upstream passage of Northern Pike (Esox lucius L.).
  • Location: Kjeldal Lock, Telemark Canal, Norway
  • Commissioned: 2012
  • Type: Waterway

Project description

Smith-Root Inc. in conjunction with Smith-Root Europe have completed the installation of their latest electric fish barrier located in Norway. Construction of the Graduated Field Fish Barrier, otherwise known as GFFB, was completed in June of 2012 in time for the busy summer boating season. The barrier is installed downstream of Kjeldal Lock on the Telemark Canal to prevent upstream passage of the Northern Pike (Esox lucius L.). The Telemark Canal is an historic commercial shipping corridor which has now become a tourist mecca for various boating enthusiasts.

The barrier has been designed to be placed in the canal to conform to the existing waterway dimensions (17m wide by 3m deep) giving the benefit of allowing all original boat traffic to navigate per usual.

Watch a video overview of the Telemark Canal project →

Site characteristics

  • Pulsators: 1.5kVA POW
  • Pulsator Qty: 10
  • Power Output: 15kW max.
  • Water Depth: 3 meters
  • Waterway Width: 17 meters
  • Water Velocity: 0-0.1 m/s
  • Conductivity: 16 µs/cm