About the Conference
Fish Passage 2016 is an international forum bringing together engineers, biologists and others with interests in river restoration and fish passage issues to exchange findings and experiences in a small conference setting. Attendance includes experts in technical fishways, nature-like fishways, stream restoration and stabilization, dam removal, road-stream interactions, and the myriad of funding, safety, climate change, and other social issues surrounding watershed connectivity. Fish Passage 2016 builds upon past Fish Passage conferences held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2011, 2012), Oregon State University (2013) University of Wisconsin – Madison (2014) and Groningen in The Netherlands (2015). Details about the previous Fish Passage conference talks, including downloadable PDF’s for many of the presentations, can be found here. More information and updates can be found at the Conference Web: https://fishpassage.umass.edu/

Fish Passage 2016 will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts, on June 20-22, 2016. This three-day conference will begin each day with plenary and panel discussions proceeding to concurrent sessions and will feature ample professional networking opportunities, access to poster sessions and Exhibitors. Independently offered short courses and workshops will be available immediately before/after the conference (TBA). In addition, tours of nearby fish passage facilities and a Dam Pub Crawl will be offered (TBA).


Registration Rates
Registration is limited and early registration is encouraged. 

$150.00*       Student Registration
$275.00*       General Registration by April 20
$325.00*            General Registration after April 20  

*Plus an additional 3% administrative fee


Sponsorships
Exhibit space has now reached capacity: we are no longer accepting sponsorship registrations. If you wish to be added to the waitlist, please click "Register Now" above, create an account, and follow the instructions. Please contact the Conference Coordination Team/Adrian Jordaan for additional information (fishpassageconf@gmail.com; ajordaan@eco.umass.edu; 413-545-2758). If you need assistance adding yourself to the waitlist, please contact the Registration Team at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.


Important Dates

January 1       Call for Abstracts
February 24       Oral Presentation Abstracts Deadline
February 24       Poster Presentation Abstracts Deadline
March 15       Fish Passage Career Award Nomination Deadline
March 31       Distinguished Project in Fisheries Engineering and Ecohydrology Award Nomination Deadline 
April 8       Notification of Oral and Poster Presentation Acceptance
April 21       Early Registration ($275) Deadline - ($325 thereafter)
June 19       Potential short courses and opening social at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
June 20 - 22       Fish Passage 2016 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
June 22 - 24       Post Meeting events

Conference Program

Click here to view the program.
Additional information and updates can be found on the Conference Website.

The following short courses are offered in conjunction with Fish Passage 2016. Short courses will be held on Sunday, June 19, and Thursday, June 23, and fees are in addition to the cost of conference registration. Attendees can register for short courses during the online conference registration process: click Register Now to sign-up. Note: at this time, short course attendees must also be conference attendees - you cannot sign up for a short course without also registering for the conference.


Sunday, June 19

Advanced Telemetry Techniques: Data Management and Analysis for Fish Passage Studies
Fish passage is about movement, and fish passage effectiveness can only be understood by measuring rates at which fish move past barriers. Telemetry is often the best tool for measuring effectiveness. Many studies, however fail to make optimal use of available data, and over-simplistic analyses can often lead to inaccurate conclusions. In this course we will discuss the three principle types of telemetry data (PIT, radio, acoustic), reviewing their common characteristics and challenges associated with managing the very large datasets these technologies can produce. In the morning we will review study design concepts, and students will learn about relational database structure, optimal database design, and extraction of basic passage metrics (proportion entering, proportion passing. In the afternoon we will delve deeper into analysis methods, with an overview and rationale for applying time-to-event analysis to passage data. This approach allows researchers to explicitly account for environmental covariates that change over time, address the problems associated with fish that are exposed to multiple and changing conditions, and show how these factors can be incorporated into metrics of passage performance without incurring bias.

Instructors: Theodore Castro-Santos
Date and Time: Sunday, June 19 at 9:00 a.m. (full day)
Cost: $250.00 (general), $150.00 (agency), $100.00 (student)


USFS Stream Simulation Design at Road Crossings
This short course will introduce and review the salient design principles of US Forest Service stream simulation design methodology at road crossings for aquatic organism passage. Data collection, site assessment, selection of reference reaches, site layout, sediment mobility & stability analysis, development of bed material gradation, bed material design configuration, and construction will be reviewed and class exercises provided.

Instructors: Robert Gubernick R.G., Dan Cenderelli PhD, Mark Weinhold P.E.
Date and Time: Sunday, June 19 at 9:00 a.m. (full day)
Cost: $250.00 (general), $150.00 (agency), $60.00 (student)


Dam Removal: What You Should Know During Construction
This 8-hour training course will benefit engineers, biologists, environmental scientists, contractors, regulators, dam owners, municipal staff, and project managers involved in the bidding processes, construction management, and demolition of dams. Topics will include:

Initiating Construction:
     · Bidding
     · Bid Packages
     · Bonding
     · Liability

Start Up:
     · Regulatory Steps 
     · Aquatic Organism Relocation 

During Construction:
     · Constructability 
     · Oversight 
     · Cost Saving Approaches
     · Expecting the Unexpected
     · Construction Methods

Post Construction:
     · Notifications 
     · As-Builts   
     · Monitoring

Round Table:
     · Issues that arise during construction - using examples from the participants and instructors

Instructors: Laura Wildman, Amy Singler, Gwen McDonald, Paul Woodworth, Mike Chelminski, Steve Gephard, Jeff Boyer
Date and Time: Sunday, June 19 at 9:00 a.m. (full day)
Cost: $60.00


Thursday, June 23

Fish Passage Training Course
This 8-hour training course will benefit engineers, biologists, hydrologists, environmental scientists, and other practitioners involved in the design, operation and oversight of fish passage projects. Click here to view the training course flyer.

Topics will include:
     · Design Flows  
     · Biological and Engineering Criteria 
     · Upsteam Technical Fishways
     · Downstream Technical Fishways
     · Nature-like Fishways
     · Eel Passage

Course material will incorporate recently completed federal resource agency guidelines, and be presented through lecture and team-based design exercises. Instructors will be comprised of an interdisciplinary team of ecologists and engineers from USFWS, NMFS, and USGS.

Instructors: Brett Towler, Alex Haro, Jim Turek, Bryan Sojkowski, Matt Bernier, Kevin Mulligan
Date and Time: Thursday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. (full day)
Cost: $250.00 (general), $100.00 (student), agency*
*A limited number of registration fee waivers are available for state and federal employees, tribes, and NGOS with a conservation mission. Contact Brett Towler for more information.


NAACC Protocols and Field Training
This full day workshop will provide training on the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol for assessing aquatic passability for road-stream crossings (culverts and bridges). In the morning there will be an indoor session covering the NAACC program structure, data collection protocols, data entry and QA/QC measures. In the afternoon will be a field training component. Participants will travel to a number of road-stream crossings in the vicinity of Amherst to gain experience in the field assessment of road-stream crossings. This training will help participants meet certification requirements for participation in the NAACC data collection program.

Instructors: Scott Jackson
Date and Time: Thursday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. (full day)
Cost: $30.00

Note: exhibit space has filled so we are no longer accepting sponsorship registrations. If you wish to be added to the sponsorship waitlist,
please click "Register Now" and follow the instructions. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. 


Benefactor Level: $10000.00

  • Five complimentary registrations, including conference dinner
  • Free prime exhibitor space rental
  • Your logo and link prominently placed on the conference website
  • Your logo prominently placed on conference printed materials
  • Opportunity to sponsor a special event or develop a specific workshop

Supporter Level: $5000.00

  • Three complimentary registrations, including conference dinner
  • Free prime exhibitor space rental
  • Your logo and link prominently placed on the conference website
  • Your logo prominently placed on conference printed materials
  • Opportunity to develop a specific workshop

Contributor Level: $1500.00

  • One complimentary registration, including conference dinner
  • Free exhibition space rental
  • Your logo and link on the conference website
  • Your logo on conference printed materials

Exhibitor Level: $1000.00

  • One complimentary registration, including conference dinner
  • Free exhibition space rental
  • Your logo and link on the conference website

Exhibitor Information

Each sponsorship level above includes an exhibit booth right in the center of conference activity. Exhibitors will have full access to attendees during social hour, intermission, and poster sessions, and are invited to join attendees during continental breakfasts and catered breaks.

Your sponsorship booth space will include an 8' by 10' booth space with side and backdrop curtains, a 2' by 6' table with cloth and chairs, and access to an electrical power outlet. Booths may be set up the morning of Monday, June 20th, and must be completely taken down by the close of business on Wednesday, June 22nd.

Exhibit materials may be shipped, if prepaid, no more than 3 business days prior to the start of the event. Materials will be placed in storage until the morning of Monday, June 20th. Materials may be shipped to:

UMass Conference Services
Campus Center Receiving
Fish Passage 2016
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Attn: Rebeccah Johnson, Room 810

The conference will be held at the Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, located at 1 Campus Center Way in Amherst, MA.


Parking at UMass

Guests in the North Residence Halls (see the "On-Campus & Area Lodging" tab) will be provided with a complimentary parking permit for a surface lot adjacent to the North Residential Area upon check-in. Guests at Hotel UMass will be provided with complimentary parking to the Campus Center Parking Garage at check-in. Commuting attendees will be able to obtain a discounted $5.00/day parking pass to the Campus Center Parking Garage upon arrival.

Please do not park in any lot at UMass without a obtaining a valid permit or pass as doing so may result in ticketing and/or towing. Additional details will be sent via email as the event approaches.


Driving to Campus

From the North: From I-91 South, take exit 25 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From the East: Take Route 2 West to Exit 16 (Belchertown/Amherst). From Route 2 take Route 202 South for about 15 miles to a blinking yellow light at Amherst Road. You will see signs "to Route 9/Route 116". Turn right and follow Amherst Road (which becomes Pelham Road) for 7 miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

From the South: From I-91 North, take Exit 19 in Northampton. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Take the UMass exit in 1 mile.

From the West: Take Route 2 East to the Greenfield/I-91 exit. Take I-91 South to Exit 25, Deerfield. At the end of the ramp turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From I-90 (Mass Pike): Take Exit 4 (West Springfield). Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). The UMass exit is 1 mile up.


Traveling by Plane

If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (right outside of Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles south of the UMass campus. Many visitors fly into Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. Logan is approximately 90 miles east of the UMass campus, so if you book a flight to Logan please allow for extra travel time to UMass. Both airports feature car rental agencies and a variety of shuttle services, including Valley Transporter (413-253-1350), Seemo Shuttle (413-586-1120), Exclusive Car Service (877-695-4665), Bluebird Transportation (413-221-4512), and Michael's Limousine & Transportation Service.


Traveling by Bus

The Amherst area is serviced by Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus LinesMegabus and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). Please note that some buses run on a reduced schedule in the summer.

For Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Megabus, we recommend using "Amherst UMass, MA" as your destination to be brought to Haigis Mall, located on the UMass Campus. From here, the UMass Campus Center is about a 7 minute walk and the North Apartments are about a 15 minute walk. For PVTA buses, we recommend taking a look at the various routes and schedules available on the PVTA website. You may also want to use the PVTA Google Trip PlannerWhere's My Bus?, or PVTA Bus Tracker App to help you plan the best route for you.


Traveling by Train

Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination.

Registration does not include lodging. Lodging at the North Apartments and Hotel UMass provide convenience and affordability right on the UMass campus. Amherst, Northampton, and the surrounding area are home to many lovely inns, bed & breakfasts, hotels, and motels within a 10 - 20 minute drive to campus. In planning your stay, please note that the University of Massachusetts campus is a 10 - 15 minute walk or 5 - 7 minute drive from the center of Amherst, and a 20-minute drive from the center of Northampton. The area is popular with vacationers in the summer, so we encourage you to make housing arrangements early.  


UMass Residence Halls: North Apartments

Located on campus within a 5-10 minute walk from conference activities, suite-style accommodations are available in a new, air-conditioned residence hall at a rate of $55.00 per person, per night. Each suite consists of four single bedrooms, two baths, a common area and a kitchen. The individual, lockable bedrooms are each furnished with a twin bed, desk, and bureau, and each guest will be provided with a linen pack consisting of two flat sheets, a pillow with case, two towels and a thin blanket. The kitchen has a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, and stove-top oven. If you are interested in preparing some of your meals in the suite, you should bring supplies and equipment: silverware, cookware and plates are not provided. Complimentary parking is available in a surface lot located adjacent to the North Residential Area. Those who select to stay in the North Apartments will be placed in a single-sex suite with other conference participants. If you have any specific suitemate requests, please be sure to indicate such on the registration page. To take a virtual tour of the North Apartments courtesy of UMass Residential Life, please click here. If you wish to learn more about the North Apartments, please contact the Registration office at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu. To make your reservations, simply add the North Apartment housing option to your cart during the online registration process.


Hotel UMass

Located right in the heart of campus at the Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center, an elevator ride away from most conference activities, Hotel UMass offers single and double occupancy rooms with private baths for $135.00 per night (plus applicable fees). The hotel is just a few floors above Campus Center amenities, including the University Store and several newly renovated dining options. Free continental breakfast, parking, and high-speed internet are included. Availability is limited and reservations at this discounted group rate are only available until May 20, 2016, or until the hotel fills. Interested guests must make their reservation directly with the hotel (www.hotelumass.com or 877-822-2110) and reference group code FPC16C to receive the discounted rate. Please note that discounted rooms are only available using the online reservation page for the nights of June 19 - June 22: if you wish to stay outside of this dates, please complete your reservation by phone.


Area Lodging

The Amherst area has many lodging options, from quaint bed and breakfasts to recognizable chains.

Amherst, MA
In addition to on-campus lodging, Amherst is home to many locally owed inns and B&Bs, including  The Lord Jeffery InnThe Black Walnut InnWilbur Homestead, and the University Lodge.  

Hadley, MA
Russell Street/Route 9 in neighboring Hadley has many hotel options within a 10 minute drive of campus. These include the  Courtyard by MarriottHoward JohnsonHoliday Inn ExpressComfort InnHampton Inn, and EconoLodge, all within a 10 minute drive of campus.

Northampton, MA
Northampton, located about a 20 minute drive from campus, has everything from quiet B&Bs and country inns to a grand hotel right downtown. Click here to learn more and plan your visit. 

Contact Us

For questions regarding the conference contact the Conference Coordination Team:
Dr. Adrian Jordaan
Email:  fishpassageconf@gmail.com or ajordaan@eco.umass.edu
Phone: 413-545-2758

For questions regarding registration, payment, or on-campus lodging contact the Registration Staff:
Email:  registration@umass.edu
Phone: 413-577-8102


To Complete or Edit a Registration:

Click the Register Now button above to be brought to the registration log-in page. If this is your first time here, click the "Sign up with us" button to create an account using your email and password of choice. If you have already registered and are just returning to edit your enrollment, simply sign-in to your account (do not create a second account!). After logging in, you will be able to edit your registration, submit payment via card using our secure online payment gateway, or obtain a receipt. If you forgot your username or password, just click the appropriate links on the enrollment log-in page to reset your account. If you wish to register multiple attendees, click the Register Now button and create an account. Next, complete registration for the first attendee through the payment selection page. To add a second attendee, click the "Registrations" button in the top tab, click "New Registration", and enter code FishPassage (no space). Continue this process to register each attendee.

If you experience any issues using the online registration page, please contact the Registration Office at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu for assistance. 


To Submit Payment via Credit Card:

During the online registration process, you will be prompted to select your payment method. If you select the "Credit Card" option, you will be brought to our secure online payment gateway and will be able to use a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit or debit card right online. If wish to provide card information over the phone, you should complete your online registration and then contact the Registration office at 413-577-8102 (open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Only submit your payment information using the online payment gateway or with the Registration office staff at 413-577-8102 - for your security, we will only accept payment/card details from the attendee, cardholder, or authorized purchaser directly. 


To Submit Payment via Check:

First, click "Register Now" to complete your registration. On the order confirmation page select the "Pay by Check" option. If you need an invoice sent to facilitate payment, email the Registration Staff at registration@umass.edu. All checks must be mailed to the Registration Office at the address below and full payment should be received within 2 weeks of your initial registration. Checks must be made payable to UMass Conference Services to be deposited.

UMass Conference Services
810 Campus Center
1 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003