Fish passage has become a central concern for dam owners, utilities, regulatory agencies, and environmental partners. As more rivers are fragmented by barriers, the challenge of maintaining healthy fish populations while supporting energy, irrigation, and flood control grows more complex. The stakes are high: according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, millions of barriers have contributed to species declines and threaten the sustainability of both fisheries and hydropower operations. The search for the best fish passage options is not just about compliance-it’s about future-proofing our water infrastructure and supporting communities who depend on these rivers.
For decades, fish ladders and trap-and-haul operations have been the go-to solutions. While they work for some sites, these methods are expensive, time-consuming, and often stressful for fish. As Michael Messina, Director of Market Development at Whooshh Innovations, notes, “A fish ladder requires 5–10 percent of the water that moves down a river or canal. Our system uses very little water. That means there is 5–10 percent more water that can be put toward irrigation or hydropower. Traditional ladders can take hours for fish to traverse, leading to exhaustion and reduced reproductive success. Each fish carries thousands of eggs, and the longer the journey, the fewer survive to spawn. Clearly, the industry needs better answers.
Recent advances have introduced portable, modular, and highly automated systems that move fish over barriers in seconds, not hours. The best fish passage options now use pneumatic tubes, AI-powered scanners, and real-time sorting to ensure safe, efficient, and selective passage. According to a field study in South Carolina, the Whooshh Passage Portal enabled American shad and blueback herring to bypass a spillway for the first time in over 80 years. The system’s volitional entry and gentle transport mean less stress for fish and better outcomes for populations.
Whooshh Innovations’ PassagePortal™ Model L is a fully automated, land-based system that sorts and transports fish using differential air pressure. The technology features volitional entry, FishL Recognition™ for high-definition imaging, and Gatekeeper™ for real-time sorting. “Our product moves them over the dam in a 10-second glide,” Messina explains, “saving water, time, and fish eggs that would otherwise be lost to exhaustion or predation. These systems cost up to 80% less than traditional ladders and allow for up to 10% more water savings for agriculture or clean energy production.
The integration of machine vision and AI means every fish is scanned and sorted in real time, providing next-level data for improved fisheries management. The system can refuse entry to invasive species, divert hatchery fish, and collect valuable information on population health. As seen in the Chief Joseph Dam demonstration, the Whooshh system allowed for the safe, efficient, and selective movement of salmonids, with all necessary permits and multi-agency collaboration in place. This data-driven approach supports both regulatory compliance and adaptive management strategies.
Absolutely. The best solutions don’t force a choice between environmental stewardship and operational efficiency. Whooshh’s modular, portable systems can be deployed quickly, even in remote locations, and are designed to meet the needs of dam owners, irrigation districts, and conservation partners alike. “Whooshh Innovations passes live fish safely and efficiently. Using patented technology, Whooshh can enable fish to safely migrate over dams large and small, sort for invasive species, or simply transport fish efficiently around hatcheries,” the company notes. This balance is crucial as the industry faces increased scrutiny and tighter regulations.
The impact of innovative fish passage is already visible. In British Columbia, the Whooshh Passage Portal helped salmon bypass a landslide blocking the Fraser River, restoring migration routes that had been inaccessible for decades. In South Carolina, the system enabled spawning fish to reach habitats blocked for over 80 years. According to the International Hydropower Association, new hydropower projects are increasingly adopting advanced fish passage to meet both ecological and operational goals6. These real-world successes show that technology can restore river connectivity and support thriving fisheries.
The future of fish passage is bright-and it’s here. The best fish passage options combine automation, real-time data, and selective transport to deliver results that benefit both rivers and people. At Whooshh Innovations, we’re committed to helping dam owners, agencies, and partners implement solutions that are efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible. As Messina puts it, “Where we have seen so many other fields benefit from clever design and technological innovation, when it comes to fish passage the technology has remained the same for 60 years. It’s time to move forward. Let’s work together to build resilient waterways and sustainable communities for generations to come.
