Erving Elementary School Library
Marty Garcia is an Erving parent who works at the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory in Turner's Falls.  The Conte Anadromous Fish Lab is dedicated to conducting research directed towards restoration and protection of anadromous fishes. The agency also provides fish passage facilities for many riverine species. Mr. Garcia works with the biologists in the fish laboratory near the electric power generating station.  Mr. Garcia told the students that it is part of his job to fix things at the facility.  He showed us all a thick binder full of technical manuals that he needs to read and understand to do his job well.  

Mr. Garcia brought a tank of fish for us to see.  In it were Atlantic salmon and sturgeon.  Mr. Garcia also told students in Mrs. Mankowsky's third grade that fish can jump up waterfalls.  However, many of our natural waterfalls have been dammed, creating tall walls of water that fish cannot swim up.  This interferes with their ability to breed, decreasing the number of fish in our rivers.  In Turner's Falls, we have a fish ladder.  The fish ladder slows the flow of the water and creates a shallower angle so that fish can make it to the top.