scholarly journals An angled rack with a bypass and a nature-like fishway pass Atlantic salmon smolts downstream at a hydropower dam

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1894 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Nyqvist ◽  
J. Elghagen ◽  
M. Heiss ◽  
O. Calles
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Downstream Migration ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Hydropower Dam ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Longitudinal Connectivity ◽  
Hydropower Dams ◽  
Passage Efficiency ◽  
Feeding Grounds

Hydropower dams disrupt longitudinal connectivity and cause fragmentation of river systems, which has led to declines in migratory fish species. Atlantic salmon smolts rely on intact longitudinal connectivity to move downstream from rearing habitats in freshwater to feeding grounds at sea. Smolts often suffer increased mortality and delays when they encounter hydropower plants during their downstream migration. Currently, there are few examples of downstream passage solutions that allow safe and timely passage. We assessed the performance of two passage solutions at a hydropower dam, namely, an angled 15-mm rack with a bypass and a large nature-like fishway. The performance of these new fish passage solutions was evaluated by tracking radio-tagged Atlantic salmon smolts as they encountered the facilities. The radio-tagged smolts passed the dam 9.5h after release (median) and exhibited a dam-passage efficiency of 84%, with passage rates increasing with body length. Fish passage occurred through both the rack bypass and the nature-like fishway. The passage efficiencies were 70–95% for the rack bypass and 47% for the nature-like fisway. The new fish passage facilities resulted in improved passage conditions at the site, confirming that angled racks with bypasses as best-practise solutions for downstream passage, but also that large nature-like fishways may act as downstream passage routes for salmon.

scholarly journals Fishways as Downstream Routes in Small Hydropower Plants: Experiences with a Potamodromous Cyprinid

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier Sanz-Ronda ◽  
Juan Francisco Fuentes-Pérez ◽  
Ana García-Vega ◽  
Francisco Javier Bravo-Córdoba
Keyword(s):  
General Assumption ◽  
Downstream Migration ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Pit Tag ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Longitudinal Connectivity ◽  
Alternative Routes

Fish need to move upstream and downstream through rivers to complete their life cycles. Despite the fact that fishways are the most commonly applied solution to recover longitudinal connectivity, they are not considered viable for downstream migration. Therefore, alternative facilities are recommended to facilitate downstream migration. However, a few recent studies have disagreed with this general assumption, showing the potential for bidirectional movements. This study advances our understanding of the potential of fishways for downstream migration by studying their efficiency in a run-of-the-river hydropower plant in the Duero River (Spain). To achieve this, downstream movements of the Iberian barbel (n = 299) were monitored in a stepped fishway for two years with passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tag technology, considering the effect of fish origin and release zone. The results showed that 24.9% of barbels descended through the fishway, with the origin and release zone affecting the fishway location. In addition, downstream movements were observed throughout the whole year, except in winter. The study concludes that, under specific scenarios, fishways could act as safe alternative routes for downstream migration.

scholarly journals Hydropower Development and Fishways: A Need for Connectivity in Rivers of the Upper Paraná Basin

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Ana P. S. Bertão ◽  
Jhony F. M. Silva ◽  
Maristela C. Makrakis ◽  
Fco. Javier Sanz-Ronda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Paraná River ◽  
South American ◽  
Hydroelectric Dams ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Parana River ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Hydropower Dams ◽  
Upper Paraná River

South American rivers have become intensely affected by the construction of hydroelectric dams that block the river’s connectivity for migratory fish species. In order to mitigate the problems caused by dams and to reestablish connections between habitats, fishways are implemented. Fishways are structures that aid fish in overcoming obstacles and help preserve migratory, reproductive, and feeding routes. This study performed an inventory of all hydropower plants—present and future—in the Upper Paraná River, with the objective of identifying fishways unknown to scientific literature, as well as the task of mapping them. By doing so, the current situation of structural connectivity via fishways in the Upper Paraná River Basin was described. Overall, 389 dams along 209 rivers were identified; of these, only 9% (35 dams) have fishways. In addition, an alarming explosion of future medium-sized hydropower plants was observed, with an expectation of an almost 500% increase in relation to those existing. This data reveals a trend of reduction of free-flowing river stretches, which are crucial habitats for Neotropical potamodromous species, and point to a deficiency in the structural connectivity of existing hydropower dams. Furthermore, if the implementations of these expected constructions are associated with limited connectivity as a result of the absence of fishways, the management of fisheries and their resources in the Upper Paraná River may become unsustainable.

scholarly journals Upstream fishway performance by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) spawners at complex hydropower dams — is prior experience a success criterion?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Anna Hagelin ◽  
Jon Museth ◽  
Larry Greenberg ◽  
Morten Kraabøl ◽  
Olle Calles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Brown Trout ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Hydropower Dams ◽  
Brown Trout Salmo Trutta

Passage of hydropower plants by upstream-migrating salmonid spawners is associated with reduced migration success, and the need for knowledge of fish behavior downstream of dams is widely recognized. In this study, we examined fishway passage of landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in River Klarälven, Sweden, and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in River Gudbrandslågen, Norway, and the influence of prior experience on passage success in 2012 and 2013. Fishway trap efficiency varied from 18% to 88% and was influenced by river discharge. Most salmon (81%) entered the fishway trap on days without spill, and salmon moved from the turbine area to the spill zone when there was spill, with small individuals showing a stronger reaction than large fish. Analysis of fish with and without prior trap experience showed that a higher percentage of the “naïve” fish (70% of salmon and 43% of the trout) entered the fishway traps than the “experienced” ones (25% of the salmon and 15% of the trout). Delays for fish that entered the trap ranged from 3 to 70 days for salmon and 2 to 47 days for trout.

Advances in Fisheries Bioengineering

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Passive Integrated Transponder ◽  
Fish Size ◽  
Diversion Structure ◽  
Hydroelectric Plants

<em>Abstract</em>.—A 2-year experiment was conducted on the Ariège River (southwest France) to assess effectiveness of downstream fish passage facilities for Atlantic salmon <em>Salmo salar </em>smolts at four consecutive small hydroelectric plants located on a diversion structure. The efficiency of these bypasses, evaluated using passive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry, varied significantly between sites. The highest efficiency (greater than 65%) was obtained with two entirely new downstream passage facilities, whereas less than 40% of PIT-tagged smolts migrated through two other bypasses that were simple retrofits of existing trash sluices. Performances of two bypasses were significantly improved using either a submerged horizontal screen designed to limit upwelling or mercury lights at the bypass entrance. At two sites, a difference in fish size was also observed between smolts using the bypasses and those passing through the conventional intake trash racks, with larger fish using the bypass and smaller fish being entrained through the turbine intake. It was also demonstrated that the probability for spillway passage by tagged fish increased with increases in the proportion of total river discharge spilling and with decreases in fish size. The results of this study demonstrate how different parameters can influence downstream bypass efficiencies and provide information on how downstream passage for migratory fish can be improved at small hydropower projects.

scholarly journals A Parametric Approach for Determining Fishway Attraction Flow at Hydropower Dams

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 743
Author(s):  
Patrick Heneka ◽  
Markus Zinkhahn ◽  
Cornelia Schütz ◽  
Roman B. Weichert
Keyword(s):  
Input Data ◽  
Design Criterion ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
Parametric Approach ◽  
Temporal Complexity ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Hydropower Dams ◽  
Migration Corridor ◽  
Zone Characteristic ◽  
Good Agreement

High discharges at hydropower plants (HPP) may mask fishway attraction flows and, thereby, prevent fishes from locating and using fishways critical for their access to upstream spawning and rearing habitats. Existing methods for determining attraction flows are either based on simple guidelines (e.g., a proportion of HPP discharge) that cannot address the spatial and temporal complexity of tailrace flow patterns or complicated studies (e.g., combinations of detailed hydraulic and biological investigations) that are expensive and time-consuming. To bridge this gap, we present a new, intermediate approach to reliably determine attraction flows for technical fishways at small to medium-sized waterways (mean annual flow up to 400 m3/s). Fundamental to our approach is a design criterion that the attraction flow should maintain its integrity as it propagates downstream from the fishway entrance to beyond the highly turbulent zone characteristic of HPP tailraces to create a discernable migration corridor connecting the fishway entrance to the downstream river. To implement this criterion, we describe a set of equations to calculate the width of the entrance and the corresponding attraction discharge. Input data are usually easy to obtain and include geometrical and hydraulic parameters describing the target HPP and its tailrace. To confirm our approach, we compare model results to four sites at German waterways where the design of attraction flow was obtained by detailed experimental and numerical methods. The comparison shows good agreement supporting our approach as a useful, intermediate alternative for determining attraction flows that bridges the gap between simple guidelines and detailed hydraulic and biological investigations.

scholarly journals Assessing demographic effects of dams on diadromous fish: a case study for Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River, Maine

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 2423-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie L. Nieland ◽  
Timothy F. Sheehan ◽  
Rory Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Population Viability Analysis ◽  
River System ◽  
Diadromous Fish ◽  
Viability Analysis ◽  
Penobscot River ◽  
Passage Efficiency ◽  
Demographic Effects

Abstract Dams are a major contributor to the historic decline and current low abundance of diadromous fish. We developed a population viability analysis to assess demographic effects of dams on diadromous fish within a river system and demonstrated an application of the model with Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River, Maine. We used abundance and distribution of wild- and hatchery-origin adult salmon throughout the watershed as performance metrics. Salmon abundance, distribution to upper reaches of the Penobscot watershed, and the number and proportion of wild-origin fish in the upper reaches of the Penobscot watershed increased when dams, particularly mainstem dams, were removed or passage efficiency was increased. Salmon abundance decreased as indirect latent mortality per dam was increased. Salmon abundance increased as marine or freshwater survival rates were increased, but the increase in abundance was larger when marine survival was increased than when freshwater survival was increased. Without hatchery supplementation, salmon abundance equalled zero with low marine and freshwater survival but increased when marine and freshwater survival rates were increased. Models, such as this one, that incorporate biological, environmental, and functional parameters can be used to predict ecological responses of fish populations and can help evaluate and prioritize management and restoration actions for diadromous fish.

scholarly journals Addressing fish-passage issues at hydropower and irrigation infrastructure projects in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Baumgartner ◽  
Arif Wibowo
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Tropical Island ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Sumatra Island ◽  
Irrigation Infrastructure

Development activities threaten the long-term sustainability of tropical floodplain systems. The construction of dams, weirs, irrigation infrastructure and regulators affect connectivity among habitats and can facilitate rapid declines in riverine biota, especially fish. Indonesia is a tropical island country with an abundance of monsoonal rivers. Massive expansions in hydropower and irrigation infrastructure are planned over the next two decades and mitigation measures will be needed to protect migratory fish. Most Indonesian freshwater fish need to migrate among habitats to complete essential life-history stages. So, strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the barrier effects of river infrastructure to ensure the long-term sustainability of river fishes. A common tool used worldwide is the construction of upstream and downstream fish passes. Only two fish passes exist in Indonesia. One at Perjaya Irrigation Dam on the Komering River (Sumatra island) and another on Poso Dam on the Poso River (Sulawesi island). Neither of these structures has been assessed and many other projects are proceeding without considering potential impacts on fisheries. The proposed infrastructure upgrades over the next two decades provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that migratory fish are adequately protected into the future.

scholarly journals Morphological differentiation among migratory fish species from the Paraná River basin

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucileine de Assumpção ◽  
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis ◽  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Pitágoras Augusto Piana ◽  
Patrícia Sarai da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Paraná River ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Caudal Peduncle ◽  
Parana River ◽  
Maximum Body ◽  
Paraná River Basin

This study characterized the morphological differences among migratory fish species from the Paraná River Basin. A total of 177 adult fish of Leporinus elongatus, Leporinus macrocephalus, Prochilodus lineatus, Salminus brasiliensis, Pimelodus maculatus, Pinirampus pirinampu, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Pterodoras granulosus, and Rhaphiodon vulpinus were sampled in the Canal da Piracema, a fish passage system at Itaipu Dam, Paraná River. The migratory species were analyzed through 22 morphometric measurements and fineness ratio to identify morphological patterns related to swimming performance. Four species groups were indicated by the Cluster analysis: I) R. vulpinus; II) P. corruscans; III) L. macrocephalus, L. elongatus, P. lineatus, P. maculatus, and S. brasiliensis - measurements of head height and anal fin length formed this group; and IV) P. granulosus and P. pirinampu - measurements of maximum body width and caudal peduncle width contributed to form this group. The morphometric variables that most contributed to the distinction were head length and mouth width for groups I and II. The species R. vulpinus and P. granulosus differed from other species, showing fineness ratios of 9.4 and 3.7, respectively. Leporinus elongatus, L. macrocephalus, P. lineatus, P. maculatus, and S. brasiliensis showed significant differences from other species, with ratios ranging from 4.57 to 5.19, indicating that these species may be better swimmers. Long-distance migratory species using the Piracema Canal to ascend upstream areas differed morphologically, morphological characteristics such as a narrow caudal peduncle and maximum body length, besides to the values of the fineness ratio, were essential to differentiate the migratory species.

scholarly journals Temporary turbine and reservoir level management to improve downstream migration of juvenile salmon through a hydropower complex

2021 ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Stéphane Tétard ◽  
Romain Roy ◽  
Nils Teichert ◽  
Jocelyn Rancon ◽  
Dominique Courret
Keyword(s):  
Residence Time ◽  
Downstream Migration ◽  
Substantial Proportion ◽  
Juvenile Salmon ◽  
Reservoir Level ◽  
Flexible Approach ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Level Lowering

Developing management rules to improve downstream migration of salmon smolts in large hydropower plants is essential to limit mortality and migration delay. A 2-year telemetry study was conducted to assess the efficiency of temporary measures to enhance the safety and speed of juvenile salmon passage through the Poutès dam (Allier River, France). 124 smolts were tracked through the reservoir and downstream of the dam, during implementation of turbine modulation and/or shutdown during night and reservoir level lowering. Level lowering significantly reduced median residence time from 3.4 days to 4.4 hours. However, even with high spill during turbine modulation, the risk of smolt being drawn toward the turbines was increased at low reservoir level due to the site's configuration, greater proximity to the surface and weak repulsive effect of the rack. Moreover, results revealed that a substantial proportion of smolts can migrate during daytime and twilight during floods, even at the beginning of the migration period. Thus targeted turbine shutdown has a good potential to protect smolts, but implementation requires studies taking account of site specificities and a flexible approach.

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