Electrofishing survey 30 May 1991 Page 3 



Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to discuss possible causes of this decline 

 and to coordinate a more intensive sampling of water quality in 1991. Thus these data 

 sets, including the set from this project, F-101, have demonstrated their utility by 

 providing early warning of a potential problem. It may be possible to identify the cause 

 and take corrective action before the condition of the fish populations in the upper 

 Illinois River revert to the lows that were characteristic of the 1960s. 



Job 1. Preparation of Equipment 



All old equipment was checked and refurbished as needed. A second timer was 

 added to the control console so that the driver does not have to look to the side at the 

 switchbox to see how long the generator has been running. The old Homelite generator 

 was tuned up and used throughout this sampling season. We measured the voltage to each 

 electrode at the beginning and end of each sampling run to ensure that the output was 

 consistent. 



The new MultiQuip generator was modified to serve as an emergency backup, but 

 did not have to be used this year. Mr. K. Douglas Blodgett constructed a resistor box to 

 reduce the voltage of the MultiQuip to the same level as the old Homelite. He also added 

 safety features recommended in the electrofishing school taught by the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service. 

 Job 2. Training Staff 



Mr. Phillip Moy, Mr. Eric Hopps, and Ms. Ruth Sparks read the procedures manual 

 and practiced with the equipment in the Illinois River at Havana, under the supervision 

 of Dr. Richard E. Sparks and Mr. K. Douglas Blodgett. All staff had previously taken a 

 Red Cross First Aid and CPR course. 



