Zebra mussel control with backwash filtration

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:220055

Dardeau, Jr, E A ^[1]; Bivens, T ^[2]

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1. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (United States)
2. Army Engineer District, Nashville, TN (United States)

Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were found in North American waters in 1988 at Lake St. Clair, Michigan, when a ship from a European freshwater port released its ballast water. These organisms quickly spread from the Great Lakes to many midwestern, eastern, and southern streams and lakes. As macrofoulers, they quickly colonize new areas on many natural and artificial substrates. Zebra mussels clog intakes, piping, and screens. Power production facilities that withdraw large quantities of raw water to generate electricity and cool critical components are especially vulnerable. Many control strategies have been proposed and tested; however, not all of them are environmentally acceptable. The US Army Corps of Engineers, under the auspices of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, has initiated a research program to control zebra mussels at public facilities. One test being conducted under this research program is a cooperative effort between the Corps` Nashville District, the Corps` Waterways Experiment Station, and several other agencies. The test involves the design and test of a backwash filtration system for a hydropower project in the Cumberland River Basin. The preliminary design, based on lessons learned from associated tests, is discussed. In addition, recommendations for future use are presented.

• OSTI ID: 220055
• Report Number(s): CONF-9507190--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
CONTROL
FILTRATION
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
MUSSELS
US CORPS OF ENGINEERS