Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and sea trout, Salmo trutta L., passage in a regulated northern river – fishway efficiency, fish entrance and environmental factors

The number and the size of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., using the Isohaara fishway was elevated by increasing the fishway discharge and by changing the type of the pass entrance. The fishway is intended to help fish bypass a hydroelectric station located close to the mouth of the large, regulated River Kemijoki, in northern Finland. Multi-sea-winter (MSW) salmon returned to the river mouth during peak flows in early June but did not use the fishway until 1 month later. Their number in the fishway was positively correlated with the tailwater level. One-sea winter (1-SW) salmon, which arrived approximately one month later, started to enter the fishway without corresponding delays. In autumn, a high tailwater level and a small drop at the fish entrance seemed to be needed for the successful passage of these small-sized salmon and sea trout, Salmo trutta L.     

Denil fishway utilization patterns and passage of several warmwater species relative to seasonal, thermal and hydraulic dynamics

Abstract – Two different Denil fishways on the Grand River, Ontario, were used as check-points to evaluate the upstream movement of fishes past a low-head weir and to examine the proportions and inferred swimming performance of non-salmonid warmwater fishes that used each fishway type. Traps installed at fishway exits were used to collect fish during 24-hour sampling periods, over 40–51 days each year, from 1995 to 1997. Passage rates, size selectivity, water temperature, water velocity and turbidity for the periods of maximum passage for each year were examined. General species composition from trap samples shifted from catostomids to cyprinids to ictalurids to percids and centrarchids, with some overlap, as water temperatures increased from 8 °C to 25 °C in the spring and early summer. Water depths, and therefore water velocities in each fishway, were independent of river discharge due to variable accumulations of debris on upstream trash-racks. Relationships between the water velocity and the swimming and position-holding abilities of several species emerged. Turbidity was directly related to river discharge and precipitation events, and many species demonstrated maximum fishway use during periods of increased turbidity. This study 1) provided evidence of strongly directional upstream movements among several species that were previously considered non-migratory and 2) describes physical and hydraulic conditions during fishway use for 29 non-salmonid fish species.     

Biological effectiveness of an inexpensive nature‐like fishway for passage of warmwater fish in a small Ontario stream

Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of nature‐like fishways, particularly in low gradient warmwater streams with diverse fish communities. We evaluated a nature‐like fishway that was installed to facilitate upstream passage at a low head dam on Indian Creek near Spencerville, Ontario, Canada. A passive integrated transponder (PIT) array was used to quantify attraction and passage efficiency for 391 PIT tagged warmwater fish, represented by seven species. Attraction efficiency for the three most common species, common shiner (Luxilus cornutus), creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) and white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), was 63.3%, 83.7% and 65.6%, respectively, and passage efficiencies were 5.1%, 38.4% and 25%, respectively. Creek chub were able to locate the fishway in less time than white sucker and common shiner; however, took longer to successfully pass. Manipulation of creek chub release locations was used to separate issues of attraction and passage and revealed that passage efficiency was highest (76.2%) for those released within the fishway and intermediate for those released at the entrance (42.1%). This multispecies fishway improved stream connectivity, but additional work is needed to fine tune its configuration. Similar projects that engage stakeholders in nature‐like fishway construction are a promising approach for the thousands of small dams that occur on low gradient streams around the globe, but those studies should incorporate a biological evaluation to ensure that attraction and passage efficiency are optimised.     

EMG telemetry studies on upstream migration of chum salmon in the Toyohira river,Hokkaido, Japan

The movements of 28 adult chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) tagged with electromyogram (EMG) transmitters were tracked along the Toyohira river, Hokkaido, Japan, in October of 2007 and 2008 to investigate and evaluate the upstream migratory behavior through the protection bed and fishway of ground sills. The approach time of fish that ascended successfully through the protection bed and fishway was shorter than that of unsuccessful fish. The unsuccessful fish were observed to swim in currents with high water velocity and shallow water depth at swimming speeds that exceeded their critical swimming speed (U _crit) during the approach to these structures. In consequence, unsuccessful fish frequently alternated between burst and maximum sustained speeds without ever ascending the fishway, and eventually became exhausted. It is important that fishway are constructed to enable chum salmon to find a passage way easily, so that they can migrate upstream rapidly without wasting excessive energy.     

A quantitative assessment of fish passage efficiency

In an attempt to restore the connectivity of fragmented river habitats, a variety of passage facilities have been installed at river barriers. Despite the cost of building these structures, there has been no quantitative evaluation of their overall success at restoring fish passage. We reviewed articles from 1960 to 2011, extracted data from 65 papers on fish passage efficiency, size and species of fish, and fishway characteristics to determine the best predictors of fishway efficiency. Because data were scarce for fishes other than salmonids (order Salmoniformes), we combined data for all non‐salmonids for our analysis. On average, downstream passage efficiency was 68.5%, slightly higher than upstream passage efficiency of 41.7%, and neither differed across the geographical regions of study. Salmonids were more successful than non‐salmonids in passing upstream (61.7 vs. 21.1%) and downstream (74.6 vs. 39.6%) through fish passage facilities. Passage efficiency differed significantly between types of fishways; pool and weir, pool and slot and natural fishways had the highest efficiencies, whereas Denil and fish locks/elevators had the lowest. Upstream passage efficiency decreased significantly with fishway slope, but increased with fishway length, and water velocity. An information‐theoretic analysis indicated that the best predictors of fish passage efficiency were order of fish (i.e. salmonids > non‐salmonids), type of fishway and length of fishway. Overall, the low efficiency of passage facilities indicated that most need to be improved to sufficiently mitigate habitat fragmentation for the complete fish community across a range of environmental conditions.     

Fishway entrance modifications enhance fish attraction

Two Denil fishways on the Grand River, Ontario, were monitored annually since 1994 for activity by several dozen fish species. Fishway entrances were enlarged and repositioned approximately 2 m closer to the weir face, in areas where fish were attracted by weir discharge. These simple modifications resulted in increased attraction efficiency for pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus (L.). After modifications, annual relative rate of recapture was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]=32–46%), representing a 2.6–3-fold increase in fishway use relative to pre-modification conditions. Median daily recapture rates also increased significantly from 0% at both fishways to approximately 2%. These results suggest that fishway entrances should be located as close to a dam or weir face as possible, but velocity barriers from spillway or tailrace discharge must not compromise access.     

流溪河水厂坝丹尼尔式鱼道运行效果初探

为检验流溪河水厂坝建立的丹尼尔式鱼道试点工程效果,在2015-2016年鱼道主要过鱼时段4-10月,利用张网法逐日监测。结果显示,鱼道取样共采集鱼类906尾,隶属于3目、8科、32属、34种,体长范围5～74cm,优势种为尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia niloticus)(数量比51.10%)、歺又鱼(Hemiculter leucisculus)(16.23%)、唇鱼骨(Hemibarbus labeo)(8.17%)、银鮈(Squalidus argentatus)(6.73%)、东方墨头鱼(Garra orientalis)(1.55%),以定居型鱼类为主,未见河口洄游性鱼类。水温与上游水位是影响鱼类种类时间分布的主要环境因素。聚类分析表明,6月过鱼群体的种类和数量独成一类,与其他月份鱼类群体最不相似。虽然Shannon多样性指数在5月和6月分别为2.068和1.719,但总体偏低(1.451±0.535),而Margalef丰富度指数差别较小,表明不同鱼类对鱼道入口的感应存在种间差异,推测是由工程全段翻滚闸门下泄水流导致鱼道入口不易发现所致。研究表明,丹尼尔式鱼道试点工程效果较好,为该河段的绝大部分鱼类提供了上溯通道,对流溪河构建整体过鱼设施体系起到了良好的示范作用,有助于流溪河生态系统的健康与恢复。     

Evaluation of downstream migration mitigation actions for eel at an Archimedes screw pump pumping station

Eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), mortality was studied in a Belgian lowland canal after downstream passage through a large and small de Wit‐adapted Archimedes screw pump over a 12‐month period. The hypothesis tested was the minimisation of fish injuries with the de Wit adaptation. Simultaneously, downstream migration through a Dutch pool and orifice fishway alongside the pumping station (PS) was monitored. Nets were mounted on the outflow of the pumps, and a cage was placed in the fishway. Based on the condition of the fish and injuries sustained, the assessed maximum mortality rates ranged from 19 ± 4% for the large de Wit Archimedes screw pump to 14 ± 8% for the small de Wit Archimedes screw pump. The screw adaptations did not substantially minimise grinding injuries and overall mortality, and the fishway did not mitigate downstream eel migration. To achieve escapement targets set in the eel management plans, fish‐friendly pump designs and effective PS bypass solutions are needed.     

Use of a vertical-slot fishway by galaxiids in Western Australia

Abstract –  The Goodga River Fishway is the first vertical-slot fishway in Western Australia and was opened in April 2003 with the aim of increasing the habitat available to two galaxiids; the trout minnow ( Galaxias truttaceus ), a highly restricted freshwater fish species in Western Australia, and the widespread common jollytail ( Galaxias maculatus ). The fishway was designed to function during low flows to coincide with the upstream spawning migration of G. truttaceus . Prior to the opening of the fishway, no fish were found above the Goodga River gauging station (weir), which is approximately 2 km upstream of the river's entrance to Moates Lake. Fish migrations were monitored in each season between April 2003 and February 2005. Galaxias truttaceus utilised the fishway in all sampling periods. Adult fish migrated up the fishway prior to spawning, while large numbers of new recruits (small juveniles) negotiated the fishway during November 2003 and 2004. More G. truttaceus and G. maculatus were captured on the fishway during daylight hours compared with the night; however, larger G. truttaceus were more commonly captured at night whereas G. maculatus on the fishway were larger during the day. The fact that fishway utilisation by G. maculatus was consistent during all samples and new recruits migrated during periods of low flow demonstrates the importance of understanding the migration patterns of the target species when designing fishways.     

Low light inhibits native fish movement through a vertical‐slot fishway: Implications for engineering design

Light intensity within a vertical‐slot fishway was manipulated to determine the effect on fish movement. Three treatments (darkness, low light, artificial light) were tested with natural daylight used as a control. Light intensity varied from 0 to 1,692 lux for the three treatments and from 1 to 4,550 lux for the control. Light intensity outside the fishway ranged from 31 to 80 900 lux. A total of 64 385 fish were collected from six species. The abundance of Australian smelt Retropinna semoni (Webber), unspecked hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus Ivantsoff, Crowley and Allen, bony herring Nematalosa erebi (Günther), carp gudgeon Hypseleotris spp. and Eastern gambusia Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) moving upstream reduced significantly under low‐light conditions. Conversely, movement of macroinvertebrates (freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium australiense Holthuis and freshwater prawn Paratya australiensis Kemp) increased at low‐light intensities. The number of fish moving under artificial light (28 617) was similar to that under natural daylight (33 919). Movements of Australian freshwater fish and macroinvertebrates were found to be influenced by changes in light intensity. Instream structures that alter light conditions, such as road culverts, may thus act as behavioural barriers to fish movement, and this could be mitigated by the provision of natural or artificial light.     

Using sprint swimming performance to predict upstream passage of the endangered Macquarie perch in a highly regulated river

Abstract Barriers to migration are a major threat to freshwater fish populations. A novel measurement of swimming speed performance and an analytical model were used to calculate the probability that endangered Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica Cuvier, can swim through instream structures. Over the range of river discharges (2.7–166 ML day^?1) and temperatures (10–22 °C) examined, M. australasica could successfully pass through a rock‐ramp fishway and nearby natural riffles under most river discharges, whilst pipe culverts were passable only to large individuals (>17.7 cm total length) under a high river discharge. Cold water temperatures (below 16 °C) significantly reduced the likelihood of passage in each case. It was concluded that both the volume and thermal characteristics of environmental flow releases should be considered when assessing and remediating potential instream barriers to fish passage in regulated river systems.     

Upstream passage of fish through a vertical-slot fishway in an Australian subtropical river

The effectiveness of a vertical-slot fishway on the Burnett River barrage for facilitating migration of fish was assessed. In 100 samples taken at the top and bottom of the fishway, over 52 000 fish representing 34 species were collected at a maximum rate of 4500 fish per day. In contrast, less than 2000 fish ascended the original pool-and-weir fishway in 128, 24 h samples at the top between 1984 and 1987. Juvenile size classes dominated the abundance of many species in the present study and fish between 24 and 930 mm in length ascended the vertical-slot fishway. However, passage of small fish was restricted and for new fishways on tidal barriers a further reduction in head loss between pools is recommended. Importantly, the width of the vertical-slots was too small for effective upstream passage of large Queensland lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri (Krefft). The greatest diversity of fish species was found during low river flows. The findings suggest that vertical-slot fishways with wide pools and low turbulence pass a diverse range of fish fauna present in subtropical coastal rivers.     

不同位置和朝向的鱼道进口诱鱼效果

为了探明不同进口朝向的布置方式和进口位置对诱鱼效果的影响,本研究通过建立鱼道进口概化模型,设计3种环境流速工况,以马口鱼为实验对象,针对不同朝向和不同位置鱼道进口分别进行放鱼实验。结果显示,在同一鱼道进口位置时,垂直于河道水流方向上的鱼道进口其诱鱼效果明显优于顺河道水流方向的鱼道进口;当开启与电站不同相对位置不同的进口时,其诱鱼效果受河道水流速度和进口位置的影响较为显著;在所设计实验工况中,环境流速为0.3 m/s时,鱼道进口诱鱼效果最好。研究结果将对水利工程中鱼道进口布置具有重要的参考意义并指导工程实践。     

Effects of water velocity,turbulence and obstacle length on the swimming capabilities of adult Pacific lamprey

The swimming capabilities of adult Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus Gairdner, were tested in an experimental vertical‐slot fishway in response to three different fishway features: water velocity (1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m s^?1), the length of the vertical slot (0.33, 0.66, 1.00 m) and during the presence/absence of a turbulence‐intensifying structure that increased turbulence for each respective treatment. Passage success was lowest (52.7%) and attachment rates were highest (92.9%) during the most difficult passage conditions (high velocity, high turbulence, long slot length). Passage success was >83% for all other treatment combinations. Although passage of the vertical‐slot weir was not associated with fish body size, Pacific lamprey with larger dorsal distances (distance between the two dorsal fins) were more likely to pass the vertical‐slot weir. Increased attachment rates and longer attachment times during strenuous passage conditions suggest that endurance capacity may be an important factor limiting the passage of Pacific lamprey at fishway obstacles.     

Remediation of upstream passage for migrating Galaxias (Family: Galaxiidae) through a pipe culvert

Movement through streams is critical for the maintenance of diadromous fish populations. Numerous fish passage improvement techniques exist, and knowledge of their effectiveness is required to conserve target species. An existing 70‐m pipe culvert was considered a barrier to the passage success of young‐of‐year (YOY) Galaxias spp. as a result of high water velocity (0.9 m/s). Water velocity in the pipe culvert was reduced by installing a concrete weir downstream of the culvert. A lateral ridge rock‐ramp fishway was installed to provide for the passage of fish over the weir, and baffles were installed in the upstream portion of the culvert to provide refuge from higher water velocity at this location. A BACI design was used to determine whether passage success, measured using a mark–recapture technique, improved as a result of the remediation works. The probability of successful passage of YOY Galaxias spp. through the culvert increased from 0.03 to 0.41 following remediation works and was similar to levels observed at a control site (0.33). The success of the fishway and baffles at this culvert provides an important case study for managers to adopt this technique to improve fish passage on a broader scale and range of other sites.     

Fish and lamprey passage in a combined Denil and vertical slot fishway

A fishway (fish pass), consisting of vertical slot and Denil sections, was constructed at the lowest dam on the River Kemijoki, northern Finland, in 1993. The river was one of the best salmon rivers in Europe until 1949, when the dam and the hydropower plant were completed close to the river mouth. From 1993 to 1995, nearly 1000 adult salmonids passed through the fishway despite heavy fishing below the dam. Of environmental variables measured, water temperature, headwater level, and discharge through the power plant in relation to season changes explained most of the variation in Baltic salmon, Salmo salar L., numbers. They had a minor effect on trout, Salmo trutta L. Migratory whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), entered the fishway but were not observed in its uppermost pool. River lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis (L.), passed through the vertical slot section of the fishway after plastic bristles were fastened into the bottom of the slots.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

To examine the role of longitudinal connectivity on the spatial and temporal dynamics of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), we quantified movement and population dynamics following installation of the Landsburg Dam fishway, Cedar River, WA, USA. Mountain whitefish is widely distributed, poorly studied and not the focus of restoration. Before the fishway, mountain whitefish were not observed above the dam. Here, we focus on snorkel counts collected at reach and mesohabitat (e.g. pools) scales over 11 summers on the 20‐km above‐dam segment following restoration. A camera within the ladder provided number, size and movement timing, thereby informing on behaviour and recolonisation. Segment‐scale abundance increased following fish passage reaching an asymptote in 7 years, and mountain whitefish were detected throughout the main stem in 10 years. Annual movement through the ladder increased over time and was positively correlated with instream abundance and discharge, but negatively correlated with water temperature. About 60% of fish movements occurred in spring and early summer, potentially for foraging opportunities. Reach‐scale abundance peaked between 7 and 10 km from the dam; deep, cool (~10.6 to 11.6°C) conditions characterised these reaches. At the mesohabitat scale, mountain whitefish detection increased with depth and velocity after accounting for distance from the dam. Our results show how restoring longitudinal connectivity allowed this nontarget species to colonise newly available habitat. Their response supports the critical roles of longitudinal connectivity and environmental conditions, that manifest at different spatial scales, in dictating how freshwater fish respond to habitat disturbance.     

不同电学参数和流速下的拦鱼电栅对草鱼幼鱼的拦导效率

为了探究不同电学参数的拦鱼电栅在静水条件下对草鱼幼鱼[体长(10.22±2.01)cm、体质量(34.25±3.62)g]趋避行为的影响,实验构建了一种双排式的拦鱼电栅,在静水条件下采用3因素4水平正交实验设计,测试了脉冲电压、脉冲频率、脉冲宽度等脉冲直流电参数对拦鱼效果的影响;为了探究静水下拦鱼效果最佳的拦鱼电栅电学...     

Behaviour and mortality of downstream migrating Atlantic salmon smolts at a small power station with multiple migration routes

Salmon smolts were released upstream of a run‐of‐river hydropower site and recaptured downstream for inspection. Descending fish behaviour through three possible migration routes (turbines, fishway, spillway) was analysed using telemetry, fyke nets and diving. Tagged smolts did not follow the main water flow; over 70% used the fishway, which received only about 10% of the flow. The turbines received about 80% of the water, but <25% of the smolts. Smolts were not fully stopped from entering the turbines by the 25‐mm bar racks. Mortality of smolts passing through the Kaplan turbines was at minimum 36%. No mortality was found in fish moving through the fishway or spillway. This shows that small and fast‐rotating Kaplan turbines can cause relatively high mortality. No mortality in alternative migration routes resulted in a total mortality for descending smolts at the hydropower station of 8.5%, emphasising the importance of providing functional alternative migration routes.     

Lock gates improve passage of small-bodied fish and crustaceans in a low gradient vertical-slot fishway

Abstract  A modified 'lock' mode of operation was trialled within a low-slope (3.1%) vertical-slot fishway to improve passage of small-bodied (<60 mm long) native fishes in the Murray River, Australia. Significantly greater numbers of three small-bodied native fish and two crustacean species ascended the fishway during lock operation than during standard operation. Up to 9700 small-bodied fish and crustaceans exited during the lock operation in a single 2-h replicate. A deficiency of the temporary lock conditions was that large-bodied fish and their young-of-the-year (>50 mm long) did not ascend during the study. Considerable experimental work is required at other sites and at higher fishway slopes before widespread retro-fitting of lock gates. Nevertheless, these results highlight new options for potentially improving the ecological performance of existing pool-type fishways and new facilities.