A fish screen is designed to prevent fish from swimming or being drawn into an aqueduct, cooling water intake, intake tower, dam or other diversion on a river, lake or waterway where water is taken for human use. They are intended to supply debris-free water without harming aquatic life. Fish screens are typically installed to protect endangered species of fishes that would otherwise be harmed or killed when passing through industrial facilities such as steam electric power plants, hydroelectric generators, petroleum refineries, chemical plants, farm irrigation water and municipal drinking water treatment plants. However, many fish are killed or injured on screens or elsewhere in the intake structures.
Fish screen at Redlands Canal, near Grand Junction, Colorado
Diagram of typical vertical traveling screens used with industrial cooling water intake structures
The Indian Point Energy Center in New York. Over a billion fish eggs and larvae were claimed to be killed in its cooling system each year while it was still operating.
Water cooling is a method of heat removal from components and industrial equipment. Evaporative cooling using water is often more efficient than air cooling. Water is inexpensive and non-toxic; however, it can contain impurities and cause corrosion.
Cooling tower and water discharge of a nuclear power plant
The Indian Point Energy Center. Over a billion fish eggs and larvae are killed in its cooling system each year.
Cooling water intake of a nuclear power plant
An antique gasoline engine with an evaporative cooler and mesh screen to improve evaporation. Water is pumped up to the top and flows down the screen to the tank.
