40 41' 30 N
75 12' 26 W

Fish ladders have been constructed in Easton, Glendon, and Allentown to allow fish to reach their spawning grounds upstream. When dams are constructed in the path of migration, fish are forced to find an alternate, less suitable habitat for spawning. The survival rate for eggs and young fish is negatively affected by forcing them to spawn elsewhere. Fish ladders allow species to migrate upstream around the dam to find the most suitable habitat for spawning.

The fish ladder in Easton has a clear window where visitors and monitors can view the fish that use the ladder to pass the dam. The shad population at Easton has been on the rebound in recent years with the help of the Fish and Boat Commission. Once they climb the fish ladder, the shad have about 35 miles of river for spawning. Monitoring studies have shown that the fish ladders are very effective in sustaining the shad population.

Fish ladders are not a new concept. They have been used in England and Ireland since the 1800’s.

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Panorama 1 (Taken at 40 41' 30 N, 75 12' 26 W) (596 K)

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