Aquatic Invasive Species Control At Gavins Point Dam

The Gavins Point Dam, managed by the US Army Corp of Engineers, is taking proactive measures to protect its turbines from the invasive Asian clams and mussels. To achieve this, they are installing Hydro-Optic UV systems, a cutting-edge technology that offers an environmentally friendly solution.

The Hydro-Optic UV system operates by utilizing medium pressure (MP) UV lamps. These lamps emit a broad spectrum of UV light, effectively disinfecting various microorganisms. Unlike low pressure (LP) UV lamps, the MP lamps disable the proteins and enzymes necessary for cell repair, resulting in permanent microbial inactivation at a lower dose.