The novel floating elver trap was successfully fabricated with key lamprey modifications and deployed inside a large circular tank at Bonneville Hatchery and underwent several weeks of testing and refinement in 2024 as a result of FY23 PLCI BPA funding. Due to unforeseeable delays in the initiation of tank testing and limited funding, this new collector (now called “Floating Adult Lamprey Collector Operation Nocturnal” [FALCON]) did not get a chance to be tested at a river site in 2024. With this new PLCI funding, Cramer Fish Sciences will 1) conduct additional lab testing at Bonneville Hatchery (3.5 weeks) to fine tune some additional key design elements to maximize efficiency, 2) implement those changes and modifications, 3) deploy FALCON at the best suitable river site that is feasible to accomplish by 2024/2025, and 4) test efficacy of FALCON during the peak of the migration period (3.5 weeks) at the selected deployment site. Additional recommendati... ons will be made for modification based on this site testing. Finally, this project will create opportunities for additional FALCON to be fabricated and deployed at many other locations using additional funding, including key bottlenecks at mainstem Columbia River hydroelectric dams. These traps are novel in that they provide access to adult lamprey even before they enter the fish ladder. Given that lamprey (especially weak swimmers) in large numbers turn around at the entrance of many dams, this collector provides additional opportunities for lamprey to effectively bypass passage barriers within the Columbia River Basin.   Show More