OptiPass: The migratory fish passage optimization tool, version 1.0 user manual

OptiPass(TM) is a Microsoft Windows® based program for optimizing the mitigation of artificial barriers,

integrates information on barrier passability (upstream and or downstream), mitigation cost, and

improvement strategies. Critically, OptiPass employs state-of-the-art optimization modeling and

interactive effects of passage improvement on longitudinal connectivity. Optimization based methods

restoration gains given available resources. OptiPass represents a radical improvement over the ad-hoc

solutions. Additional functionalities have been built into OptiPass for performing batch runs across a

detailed “what-if” type analyses such as changing the spatial focus (i.e., selecting subsets of watersheds

useful for strategically targeting high impact barriers within a given area that yield the “biggest bang for

submitted for potential funding and helping to identify appropriate levels of investment in barrier

mitigation that meet defined policy planning goals.