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A WATER-POWERED POND CLEANER DONALD D. ROBERTS AND EDWIN J. ALLEN COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RIFLE FALLS HATCHERY RIFLE, COLORADO 81650 ABSTRACT A water-powered pond cleaner was developed by personnel at the Gl~nwood-Crystal River Hatcheries in Colorado. These devices save labor and time. Fish culture personnel believe the devices are also more efficient and easier on the fish. These pond cleaners can be easily constructed locally. INTRODUCTION The cleaning of concrete raceways is a very labor intensive operation. In order to save manpower and time, a pond-cleaning device was developed by Division of Wildlife Personnel at the Carbondale Brood Fish Unit, Carbondale, Colorado. The cleaner is used on a number of Colorado's fish production units at the present time. OPERATION Due to the design of the Rifle Falls Unit, we have found this device to be of great benefit to our operation. Normal cleaning by hand would require two men 4 to 4-1/2 days to clean all the raceways on the unit. With this device, we can clean all raceways in 2 days with two men using far less phy- sical labor. We must point out at this time, that the cleaner can only be used in ponds with cement bottoms and sides, and with water introduced at the top of the pond with some method of control of water level at the lower end of the pond. The rate of flow in the pond will determine the speed of the cleaner. The rate of flow, depth and width of your pond will have to be considered in the construction of the cleaner. MATERIALS AND METHODS The materials for this device can readily be obtained from most hard- ware suppliers, and with a minimum of welding knowledge, can be constructed by hatchery personnel. The base structure of the cleaner can be made of 1"- or 1-1/4"-square steel tubing. The cleaner face frame can be covered with light metal sheet- ing welded or riveted to the frame. The arms for the brooms should be of tubing for strength. The brooms are bolted to the cleaner arms for ease of removal and replacement when the brooms are worn. The protection arm in 91