PTAGIS Field Operations 2012

Antenna and Gate Efficiencies Antenna efficiencies at all PTAGIS maintained sites remained near 100% (except for the BCC antenna) due to constant manual tuning and 365 day per year remote monitoring. SbyC diversion gate efficiency for 2012 was the highest since the program began, at 98%. (We will obtain 100% efficiency when we train the tagged fish to not swim side-by-side… we’ll work on it) Two major reasons have contributed to the outstanding gate efficiency. The first is a PTAGIS initiated partnership with the COE that inspects and rebuilds the gates during each downtime. The second is a PTAGIS designed PLC driven and text messaging system that sends an instantaneous alert to the COE and PTAGIS staff when gate malfunctions occur.

Tag QA Testing All 12mm tags passed QA testing in All 9mm tags passed QA testing in 2012 with the exception of a breakage test failure that occurred in April. This problem was quickly resolved by the manufacturer by adding more internal glue around the tag ferrite. No problems have been found since. The development of an Automatic Tag Sorter (ATS) was started in 2012 and will complete in The ATS has been designed by the Kennewick PTAGIS staff and will be built in our lab. The ATS will use M4 software and PLC logic to operate. The ATS will allow us to increase our QA sample rate from the current 1% to 5% and increase APTTS test volumes from 100 to 2000 tags per test. (APTTS)

Yakama Nation Klickitat River Passage Improvement Project The Lyle and Castile Falls projects are now complete and in production mode. The project was one of our most challenging to date due to heavy use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) at both sites. VFDs are the nemesis of RFID due to the high RF noise they create. PTAGIS staff worked nearly six months to overcome this interference using various filters and shields. The first ever adult detection at Lyle Falls occurred on August 17, 2011 and appeared to be a stray released at The Dalles Creek on May 21, The first ever adult detection at Castile Falls occurred on July 18, A Klickitat released steelhead. More YN Klickitat work is being discussed needing PIT tag detections.

Biomark FS2020 Transceiver Evaluation The new FS2020 transceiver was evaluated at various full flow antenna locations and one large slot antenna location. The transceivers were evaluated for detection efficiency and dependability. The FS2020 detection efficiency was outstanding, reading a consistent 3% above the current FS1001A transceivers and provided auto-tuning when water levels varied. The dependability was on a par with the current generation of transceivers. PTAGIS Kennewick is currently evaluating the transceiver to see if it can be used in a dual HDX / FDX mode allowing lamprey / salmon detection without losing reducing HDX efficiency. PTAGIS fully endorses this transceiver for main stem use.

Thin Wall Antenna Development The PTAGIS Kennewick staff launched the development of a thin wall pass-through antenna. A prototype was successfully tested in August at the NMFS lab in Pasco. The current design is only 2” thick and is targeted for use at the counting window slots at Little Goose, The Dalles and Lower Monumental. The design will greatly reduce construction costs at the majority of new PIT tag antenna locations that require concrete cutting. The thin body antennas will still read at the same level of efficiency as standard body antennas. The antennas use ferrite tiles to obtain the thin body.

The Dalles and Little Goose Adult Ladder PIT Tag Biomark has been awarded the COE contract to install the PTAGIS- designed thin body antennas at both ladders at The Dalles and the single ladder at Little Goose. The work is currently in progress. Near 100% detection efficiency is targeted. The antennas are deemed as temporary but should last indefinitely and could possibly become permanent. All three ladders should be ready for the spring runs. PTAGIS will be maintaining and evaluating these new sites. The new site codes are TD1,TD2 and GOA.

Other Projects for 2012 Currently installing UPSs at critical detection locations at all PTAGIS maintained sites. Provided QA for M4 software revisions. Installed dual M4 / MultiMon data collection platforms at SbyC sites. Installed dual M4 / MiniMon data collection platforms at non SbyC sites. Exploring replacement materials for ferrite tiles with the goal of producing thinner, lighter and lower cost thin body antennas. Working as design team consultants for the Lower Granite Ogee PIT Tag project. Working as design team consultants for the Lower Monumental counting windows thin body antenna installation. Working as design team consultants for the Ice Harbor Adult Ladder Trap SbyC project. Providing ad hoc PIT tag QA as needed. Providing in-house graphic illustration for web site viewing of PIT tag sites. Launched the development of a new BCC transceiver. This Biomark transceiver will be based on the Lower Granite ogee transceiver.