Lower Gar Lake Fish Barrier Commissioned

Through coordination with Iowa Department of Natural Resources and United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), Smith-Root has designed and installed an electrical fish barrier atop the dam at Lower Gar Lake. This barrier, powered by seven 1.5kVA pulsators, covers 165 feet in width and 3.2 feet in depth.

Asian carp began appearing in this area after a 2011 flooding event on the Missouri River. This barrier will prevent further carp movement into the Iowa Great Lakes.

Smith-Root completed the following tasks: electrical, civil, software, mechanical, hydraulic engineering, geotechnical engineering, survey (sub-contract), and construction management.

Lower Gar Lake is Smith-Root’s fourth barrier installation over the last 12 months and represents our 50th electric barrier installation worldwide.