WARU (3) Catfish ponds Reform SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW)

USDA/ARS/Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

(3) Catfish Ponds - Reform

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 BACKGROUND

The mission of the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit (WARU) is to develop technologies that improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of fish farming in the United States. This mission is accomplished by developing improved fish strains and hybrids and by developing better production technologies. Advances in applied breeding relies on information derived from research in quantitative and qualitative genetics, reproduction, physiology, immunology, molecular and cellular genetics, and bioinformatics.

Hatchery and pond management technologies are developed to provide environmental conditions that maximize performance of genetically improved fish.

Earthen ponds are typically used to raise catfish in the Mississippi Delta. Over time, wave action and aeration cause the pond banks and levees to erode and slough off which causes a loss of water column depth in the ponds. The ponds must then be reformed to remove sediment from the pond bottom and relocate it to reform the pond bank and levee.

2.0 SOW

Contractor shall furnish equipment, labor, and supplies to reform (3) WARU Pond Facility ponds, one (1) of approximately 1.5 acres (Pond 200 in the image below) AND two (2) of approximately 1.0 acres each (Ponds 34 & 35 in the image below). Work shall include moving sediment from the pond bottoms and relocating it to reform the pond banks and levees.

The interior levee shall have a top width of at least 25 feet to allow for ease of ingress and egress with trucks and utility vehicles when stocking or working within these ponds. The outside levees shall have a top width of at least 20 feet.

The finished slope of each levee should be 4:1 and the final depth of each pond should be between 5 to 6 feet. The finished bottom slope shall be 0.3 inches per 100 linear feet along the long axis to allow for adequate drainage.

Ponds 34 & 35

Pond 200

3.0 REQUIRED CONDITIONS

The 3 ponds have been drained since the end of June 2022 which has allowed for drying enough for them to be workable during Summer/Fall of 2022. The project shall be completed no later than April 1, 2023.

4.0 LOCATION

USDA/ARS/Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit, 250 Experiment Station Rd, Stoneville, MS 38776.

5.0 TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

Danny Oberle: 662.686.5479, 662.820.2335 danny.oberle@usda.gov mailto:danny.oberle@usda.gov