The Penobscot River has long been a vital corridor for migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon, shad, alewife, and river herring. At the Milford Dam the method of fish passage is not only a matter of conservation, but one of ecological restoration, cultural heritage, and scientific understanding.
However, a transformative solution exists; installing a Whoosh Innovations fish migration system with integrated automated fish ID and counter technology.
A Whoosh system would enable continuous operation, capturing data on species and movement patterns 12 months a year. This extended coverage would be invaluable for understanding non-peak migration behaviors, including late-run salmon, overwintering fish, or even rare or unexpected species appearances. Such insight could dramatically enhance fishery science, habitat restoration strategies, and adaptive management practices.
Fish voluntarily enter the system and are transported safely and quickly through pressurized tubes over any dam. This method in proven and to tested to significantly reduce migration delay and risk of injury. Fish are sorted in real time, allowing non-target species or invasive fish to be redirected. The reduced time spent in artificial holding conditions promotes fish health, boosting post-passage survival and spawning success.
The Whoosh system uses high-resolution imaging, species recognition, and biometric tracking to identify and count fish with exceptional precision—without handling. This reduces stress on fish, increases throughput, and ensures data is consistent, verifiable, and complete. With automated archiving of images and movement records, fisheries managers gain access to robust datasets for regulatory compliance, population modeling, and historical trend analysis.
Endangered species like our Atlantic Salmon require every advantage. The data we gather informs our policies, conservation strategies, and public accountability With a Whoosh Innovations system, Milford Dam could become a leader in sustainable, modern fish passage—and gives migratory species their best chance at recovery.
Let’s open the river, intelligently, and completely.