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Project Summary

Cape Fear Lock and Dam No. 1 Fish Ladder, North Carolina

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1. Project Identification

Name Cape Fear Lock and Dam No. 1 Fish Ladder, North Carolina
Region Southeast
State North Carolina
Location Lock and Dam No. 1 is located on the Cape Fear River in Bladen County, North Carolina, 39 miles upstream (northwest) of Wilmington, North Carolina
Date of this update  

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection  
Wetlands
River systems X
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk X
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)  

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

The proposed project includes the installation of a prefabricated fish ladder at Lock and Dam No. 1 that would provide for passage of anadromous shad and river herring. The project will restore access by these species to 33 miles of high quality spawning habitat in the Cape Fear River above Lock and Dam No. 1. It is anticipated that this project will have a life of 10 to 15 years. This ladder is not expected to pass sturgeon or striped bass; therefore, future studies and projects are needed to provide a comprehensive fish passage solution that addresses all affected species. The effectiveness of the fish ladder will be monitored for 2 years. Monitoring is needed to assure the effective operation of the fish ladder and optimize passage of anadromous fish through the ladder and lock. Monitoring will consist of tagging fish with sonic transmitters and using receiving stations to track the movement of target fish through the lock and fish ladder. Monitoring will be conducted in 1996 and 1997 during the spawning season of January through May.

The Cape Fear River is known to provide spawning habitat for anadromous fish species including sturgeon, striped bass, shad, and river herring. Populations of all these species are seriously depleted in the Cape Fear River system. Reduced access to spawning habitat caused by the construction of three locks and dams on the Cape Fear River from 1915 to 1934 has contributed to the decline of these species. These structures have prevented spawning fish from entering the upstream portions of the river, except during locking and periods of high flow. Lock and Dam No. 1 is the first obstruction in the river. Data from recent state and university studies indicate that the locks and dams are a significant impediment to the spawning migration of anadromous fishes.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list)

Project benefits would include a 33-mile increase in anadromous fish habitat and an expected increase in shad and herring populations in the Cape Fear River.

Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

No

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

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8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

Would this project have been undertaken by a single agency? No

9. Project Status

Initiation date May 1996
Completion date May 1998
Current stage "The Cape Fear River is known to provide spawning habitat for anadromous fish species including sturgeon, striped bass, shad, and river herring. Populations of these species are seriously depleted in this system. Construction of three locks and dams on the Cape Fear River from 1915 to 1934 has contributed to the decline of these species. These structures prevent spawning fish from entering the upstream portions of the river, except during locking and periods of high flow. The lock and dam is located in Bladen County, North Carolina, 39 miles upstream of Wilmington. The project included installation of a prefabricated fish ladder at the lock and dam in April 1997 and monitoring of anadromous fish movement upstream. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was the lead Federal agency. The state provided 25% of project cost through inkind contribution and was an active participant in installation and monitoring of this project. The fish ladder provides improved upstream passage of American shad and river herring. The ladder was placed at a site on the dam where American shad are known to congregate. Several adjustments were made to improve conditions at the base of the fish ladder. Monitoring of fish movement confirmed that American shad could navigate the ladder, however; fish use was lower than expected. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) inspected the site and made recommendations for minor structural additions to further segregate water flow and help guide fish to the ladder. Modifications were made using materials on hand. Improvements in anadromous fish passage on the Cape Fear River locks and dams was one of the top priority projects identified by the North Carolina Coastal America Advisory Committee. This committee consists of the USFWS, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Geological Survey, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Division of Water Resources, and North Carolina Department of Transportation. The USFWS supported this effort by providing technical guidance regarding the use of fish ladders at this site and two prefabricated fish ladder sections at no cost to the project. Monitoring of fish movement was conducted prior to installation of the fish ladder and for two years after it was in place. Monitoring provided new insights on the behavior of anadromous fish while inside the lock chamber. These insights resulted in improved fish locking procedures to complement the fish ladder. Lockage is now conducted more frequently to move more fish upstream. These procedures were also implemented at the other two Cape Fear River Locks and Dams. This project reveals the value of the creativity and commitment of diverse partners who worked closely together to address a challenging problem with limited resources."

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

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This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:49 EDT
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