Fishway passage and post‐passage mortality of up‐river migrating sockeye salmon in the Seton River,British Columbia

Adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) were studied to assess the consequences of a dam and vertical‐slot fishway on mortality during their spawning migration in the Seton–Anderson watershed, British Columbia, Canada. Since previous research suggests fishway passage may be difficult, our main hypothesis was that the dam and fishway have post‐passage consequences that affect subsequent behaviour and survival. Eighty‐seven sockeye were caught at the top of the fishway, implanted with an acoustic telemetry transmitter, non‐lethally biopsied to obtain a small blood sample and released either upstream or downstream of the dam. Indices of physiological stress (i.e. plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate and ions) indicated that fish were not stressed or exhausted after capture from the fishway, and were not unduly stressed by transportation to release sites or net‐pen holding. Of 59 fish released downstream of the dam, 14% did not reach the dam tailrace. Overall passage efficiency at the fishway was 80%. Mortality in two lakes upstream of the dam was greater in fish released downstream of the dam (27%) compared to fish released upstream of the dam (7%; p = 0.04) suggesting that dam passage has consequences that reduce subsequent survival. Cumulative mortality of fish released downstream of the dam (n = 55) resulted in only 49% survival to spawning areas, compared to 93% of fish released upstream of the dam (n = 28). Survival was significantly lower for females (40%) than for males (71%; p = 0.03), a finding that has implications for conservation because spawning success of sockeye salmon populations is governed primarily by females. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鱼道进口水流对草鱼幼鱼上溯行为的影响研究

为使鱼类能够快速发现和顺利进入鱼道进口并成功过坝,设计了鱼道进口概化模型。以草鱼幼鱼为研究对象,在18±1℃的条件下研究了鱼道进口流速对鱼类上溯行为的影响。研究发现:鱼道进口水流存在一个最佳流速,在该流速下,鱼类进入鱼道进口的效率最高。利用诱鱼流道补水有助于进一步提高鱼道进鱼效率,诱鱼流道水流与鱼道进口水流之间存在一个最优流速比。针对草鱼幼鱼的鱼道进口最佳流速约为0.3 m/s,诱鱼流道水流与鱼道进口水流的最佳流速比约为2.3。通过对洄游区鱼类游泳轨迹以及流场耦合,可知草鱼幼鱼上溯的喜好流速范围是0.20~0.30 m/s。研究成果对于鱼道进口水力设计具有重要意义。     

Experimental evaluation of fishway modifications on the passage behaviour of adult Chinook salmon and steelhead at Lower Granite Dam,Snake River,USA

Previous studies of Pacific salmonid passage over Snake River dams indicated slowed passage at transition pools, the transition area between the fishway entrance and the fish ladder. In 2001 and 2002, we conducted an experiment to determine if modified weirs affected adult salmon and steelhead passage times and route selection through the Lower Granite Dam transition pool. Fish attraction flows through the lower ladder weirs were experimentally increased using removable panels. During the experiment we monitored radio‐tagged adult Chinook salmon and steelhead to determine passage routes and times through the transition pool. The weir treatment increased the number of spring–summer Chinook salmon passing straight through the transition pool compared to those exiting the transition pool to the collection channel or tailrace. Mean passage times through the transition pool differed among routes and were significantly lower during treatment periods for the exit‐to‐collection channel route in spring‐summer Chinook salmon, but not for other routes. Passage times among routes differed in steelhead, but there was no evidence of treatment effects on route use or passage time. Fall Chinook exhibited similar trends in route use and passage time to spring–summer Chinook, but differences were not significant, perhaps because of relatively small sample size. Total dam passage times did not differ by treatment or route for any run. Fish depth during passage of the transition pool suggested that most fish passed through submerged orifices and supported the hypothesis that increased water velocity through these orifices caused the increase in straight‐through passage in spring–summer Chinook. Collectively, the results suggested the weir modifications provided improvement to passage through the transition pool for spring–summer Chinook and no evidence of negative effects on other runs. The results from this study were used to develop new design criteria and modifications of the Lower Granite Dam fishway. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of behavioural metrics to evaluate fishway efficiency

Fishways are installed worldwide to facilitate accessibility to functional habitats and to increase the ecological continuity of rivers. Their evaluations are increasing, but complete studies in the field with wild individuals are still scarce. In the lower Bocq River (Belgium), a pool type fishway was installed in 2011. A combined passive‐integrated‐transponder‐tag and radio‐telemetry system was designed and installed downstream of the dam and in the fishway to analyse fine‐scale individual fish behaviour. Three fish species (brown trout, European grayling, and barbel) were captured in the river; n = 125 fish were tagged and released downstream of the fishway. Behavioural metrics were proposed and used in order to attain a comprehensive view on the efficiency of the fishway, including attraction and entrance efficiency, searching and passage delays, and overall and adjusted passage efficiency. The results indicate a major problem in terms of attraction efficiency (48.9% for the trout, 20.5% for the grayling, and 41.2% for the barbel) and time to find the entrance of the fishway (mean 65.1 hr for the trout and 538.9 hr for the grayling). For fish that succeed to approach the entrance of the fishway, the passage efficiency was 86.9% for the trout, 55.5% for the grayling, and 7.1% for the barbel. The time taken to cross the structure was reasonable for the salmonids (mean < 1.5 hr for trout and grayling) but very long (21 hr) for the barbel. Our results underline the necessity of a holistic approach to evaluate fishway efficiency using precise comprehensive metrics and hydraulic characterization.     

Do fish locks have potential in tropical rivers?

This study evaluated attraction and passage of native fish through an automated fish lock on the tropical Fitzroy River in north‐eastern Australia. In 69 samples (24 h each) taken at the exit and entrance of the fish lock, 17 fish species and 13 402 individuals were collected, at a maximum rate of 3317 fish per day. During low river flows, the fish lock transferred a broad size range of fish (35–710 mm long), though migratory biomass was small. Removal of a vertical fish‐crowding device did not affect the passage rate. Netting studies and observations of fish migrating below the weir suggested that the entrance was poorly located during high flows and another fishway near the spillway would enhance fish passage. The fish lock was inoperative for 48% of the time, due to mechanical and software failure, and a narrow operational range unsuited to the variable hydrology. Nevertheless, these design issues are site specific and reflect that fish lock technology is in its infancy in Australia. The operational reliability of the fish lock is now greatly improved but further work is needed to optimize the automatic cycling. To accommodate the inherently variable hydrology of lowland tropical/sub‐tropical rivers into fishway design, we highlight important research needs for fishways and migratory fish communities. Fish locks are often considered a less favourable fish passage option but with the operational reliability issues partially resolved, they appear to have considerable potential for tropical river systems with low minimum flows and low biomass; with further research and design, they may have wider application. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post‐Spawning Survival and Downstream Passage of Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in a Regulated River: Is There Potential for Repeat Spawning?

Repeat salmonid spawners may make large contributions to total recruitment and long term population stability. Despite their potential importance, relatively little is known about this phase of the life history for anadromous populations, and nothing has been reported for landlocked populations. Here, we studied post‐spawning behaviour and survival of landlocked Atlantic salmon in relation to downstream dam passage in the River Klarälven, Sweden. Eight hydropower stations separate the feeding grounds in Lake Vänern from the spawning grounds in the River Klarälven, and no measures to facilitate downstream migration are present in the river. Forty‐nine percent of the salmon survived spawning and initiated downstream migration. Females and small fish had higher post‐spawning survival than males and large fish. The post‐spawners migrated downstream in autumn and spring and remained relatively inactive in the river during winter. Downstream migration speed in the free flowing part of the river was highly variable with a median of 9.30 km/day. Most fish passed the first hydropower station via upward‐opening spill gates after a median residence time in the forebay of 25 min. However, no tagged fish survived passage of all eight hydropower stations to reach Lake Vänern. This result underscores the need for remedial measures to increase the survival of downstream migrating kelts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spawning Migration of Wild and Supplementary Stocked Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar)

Upstream migration by adult salmonids is impeded by dams in many regulated rivers, as is the case for landlocked Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in the River Klarälven, Sweden. There, the salmon cannot reach the spawning grounds due to the presence of eight dams. Hence, hatchery‐reared smolts are released downstream of the dams, and upstream migrating spawners are caught in a trap at the lowermost dam before transported by truck to the spawning grounds past the dams. To identify the spawning grounds and compare the behavior of wild and hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon during upstream migration and spawning, 34 wild and 28 hatchery‐reared, radio‐tagged Atlantic salmon were followed during their spawning migration from August to October 2011. Half (50%) of the hatchery fish, but only 11,8% of the wild fish ended up as fallbacks, i.e. they migrated past the first downstream power station, and did not spawn. A significantly higher proportion (21.4%) of hatchery‐ reared salmon moved in an erratic way, with several up and down stream movements, when compared to the wild salmon (5.9%). When looking at the salmon that stayed in the river (exc. fallbacks), wild individuals exhibited a holding behavior (little or no movements before presumed spawning) more often (86.7%) than the reared ones (50%). The wild salmon also held position (and presumably spawned) for longer time (25.4 days) than the reared salmon (16.1 days). Reared salmon held position, on average, 10 km further upstream than wild salmon, passing the presumed best‐quality spawning habitat. The migration speed (average 17.4 km/day) between two logger stations did not differ between wild and reared fish or between sexes. Our results suggest that the reproductive success of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon is relatively low and their capacity as supplementary spawners to the wild population in the Klarälven, is probably small. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An assessment of the effectiveness of a vertical‐slot fishway for non‐salmonid fish at a tidal barrier on a large tropical/subtropical river

Fishways for salmon in temperate rivers have often been successful, but salmonid‐type fishways for non‐salmonid species in tropical and subtropical rivers have frequently failed. This study assessed the effectiveness of modifying a salmonid‐type pool‐and‐weir fishway into a vertical‐slot design on a tidal barrage on the subtropical Fitzroy River, in Queensland, north‐eastern Australia. In 38 paired samples of the top and bottom of the fishway, over 16 months, 29 fish species and over 23 000 fish were collected at a maximum rate of 3400 per day. This study shows much greater potential for success with a vertical‐slot fishway as relatively few fish negotiated the original pool‐and‐weir design. Common species using the vertical‐slot fishway included blue‐catfish (Arius graeffei [Ariidae]), bony herring (Nematalosa erebi [Clupeidae]), striped mullet (Mugil cephalus [Mugilidae]), barramundi (Lates calcarifer [Centropomidae]), and long‐finned eels (Anguilla reinhardtii [Anguillidae]). Freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium australiense [Palaemonidae]), juvenile crabs (Varuna litterata [Grapsidae]) and long‐finned elvers did not ascend the full length of the fishway and specific fishways for these species are recommended. Fish between 25 and 640 mm in length ascended the fishway, although the passage of smaller size classes of immature fish was restricted and this may be important for the sustainability of these migratory populations. The barramundi (200–640 mm) which ascended the fishway were all immature fish. However, during a period of low river flows enlarging the width of the vertical‐slot from 0.15 to 0.45 m only encouraged a small number of larger fish (890 mm maximum length) to enter. The strong diel movement patterns of many species will need to be considered in future fishway design. Blue‐catfish could ascend the fishway in 2 h, but many fish remained in the fishway and this behaviour may cause crowding and a reduction in fishway capacity. Further work is needed to assess the proportion of fish finding the fishway entrance. However, the findings suggest that vertical‐slot fishways with lower water velocities and turbulence than salmonid fishways have great potential to pass the diverse migratory fish fauna of subtropical and tropical rivers. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

丰满重建工程过鱼设施方案设计优化

丰满重建工程过鱼道原设计存在以下问题:(1)集鱼口少、集鱼范围窄、效率低、机组运行不灵活等;(2)鱼过坝过程周转环节较多,组成复杂;(3)出口区域缺乏鱼类上溯的水动力学条件以及旅游码头对过鱼存在干扰等。为此,通过鱼道、进出口流场数值模拟计算及物理模型试验研究,同时借鉴近期国内工程过鱼设施成功运行经验,将永庆右岸竖缝鱼道方案优化为"左岸生态泄流闸+左岸岸边仿生态鱼道"方案;将丰满大坝过鱼设施优化为"集鱼系统+升鱼机+放流系统"方案。此优化方案更符合工程实际和特点,有利于诱鱼、过鱼、放流,满足环境要求,为梯级水库高坝过鱼提供一个切实可行的解决方案。     

Partial dam removal restores passage for a threatened salmonid

Dams represent one of the major forms of river alteration. As these structures reach the end of their lifespan, they often require extensive refurbishments or removal. A small‐scale water supply dam in Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada) was partially removed, creating a breach that allowed water to scour a new passage resembling a nature‐like fishway. We investigated the permeability of the partially removed dam as a means of validating the conservation benefits of the partial dam removal. We quantified the proportion of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a threatened species in Canada, that approached and passed the fishway using radio telemetry receiver stations. The proportion of bull trout that approached the fishway was low (37.0%; N = 27 of 73), but was consistent with upstream reference sites (33%; N = 20 of 60). For those that did approach, the proportion of bull trout that passed yielded a high passage efficiency (77.8%; N = 21 of 27 that approached). The probability that a fish passed the fishway was related to water depth and time of day. Bull trout were more likely to pass when water depths were high (>0.40 m), and at night. Passage duration ranged from 5‐mins to 13‐days, suggesting that this resident species used the fishway for a variety of purposes (e.g., station holding and foraging) and not just transiting. Some individuals underwent large‐scale movements 2‐km upstream (15.1%; N = 11 of 73), or 2‐km downstream (2.7%; N = 2 of 73) following a successful passage event. This study provides new insight on how, in some instances, a breach in a dam can function as a nature‐like fishway, accommodating year‐round stream flows and providing hydraulic conditions suitable for fish passage without costly engineering or construction.     

Migratory fishes of Brazil: Life history and fish passage needs

Many of the most important commercial and recreational species of the megadiverse Brazilian freshwater fishes migrate in rivers among essential habitats during all life stages. These movements, however, have been severely blocked by hundreds of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs and they will be even more obstructed due to hundreds of new developments. Fishways have been used in many countries to allow fish to pass around dams. Fishway construction is booming in Brazil, but poor understanding of migrations by Brazilian fishes has led legislators, scientists, and the public to several misconceptions about the rules of fishways in fisheries conservation. First, is a belief that fishways are only needed to facilitate upstream spawning migrations. Also, it has been suggested that upstream passage for Neotropical migrant fishes is not useful if there is no large free‐flowing stretch upstream of a dam that contains spawning habitat and has a large natural floodplain (nursery habitat). In this paper, we discuss that, in addition to providing passage for pre‐spawning migrants, upstream fishways also provide passage for other fish migrations (e.g. foraging), and that all up‐ and downstream migrations during life history need to be addressed at dams to conserve fish resources. We also argue that an upstream fishway is important even if the upstream reach does not have spawning or nursery habitats. In addition, we discuss the need for protection of downstream migrant fish, and the importance of fish behaviourists and engineers working together on fishway design and operation to solve fish passage issues. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dam Operations Affect Route‐specific Passage and Survival of Juvenile Chinook Salmon at a Main‐stem Diversion dam

Diversion dams can negatively affect emigrating juvenile salmon populations because fish must pass through the impounded river created by the dam, negotiate a passage route at the dam and then emigrate through a riverine reach that has been affected by reduced river discharge. To quantify the effects of a main‐stem diversion dam on juvenile Chinook salmon in the Yakima River, Washington, USA, we used radio telemetry to understand how dam operations and river discharge in the 18‐km reach downstream of the dam affected route‐specific passage and survival. We found evidence of direct mortality associated with dam passage and indirect mortality associated with migration through the reach below the dam. Survival of fish passing over a surface spill gate (the west gate) was positively related to river discharge, and survival was similar for fish released below the dam, suggesting that passage via this route caused little additional mortality. However, survival of fish that passed under a sub‐surface spill gate (the east gate) was considerably lower than survival of fish released downstream of the dam, with the difference in survival decreasing as river discharge increased. The probability of fish passing the dam via three available routes was strongly influenced by dam operations, with passage through the juvenile fish bypass and the east gate increasing with discharge through those routes. By simulating daily passage and route‐specific survival, we show that variation in total survival is driven by river discharge and moderated by the proportion of fish passing through low‐survival or high‐survival passage routes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MULTISPECIES FISH PASSAGE BEHAVIOUR IN A VERTICAL SLOT FISHWAY ON THE RICHELIEU RIVER,QUEBEC, CANADA

A shift from target species to ecosystem restoration has generated interest in developing fishways that are capable of passing entire fish communities. Although a number of multispecies fishways now exist in North America, evaluations of these fishways are lacking. We used a passive integrated transponder antenna array to quantify passage success and passage duration of fish using a vertical slot fishway (85 m in length, 2.65 m elevation rise, 12 regular pools and 2 turning basins) at a low head dam on the Richelieu River in Quebec, Canada. Fourteen of the 18 tagged species re‐ascended the fishway, and passage efficiency was highly variable among species (range 25%–100%); however, it was >50% for five of the species well represented in this study (n > 10) (Atlantic salmon, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye and white sucker). Passage duration was likewise highly variable both among and within species (e.g. 1.0–452.9 h for smallmouth bass, 2.4–237.5 h for shorthead redhorse). Although this fishway design was not uniformly successful in passing fish of all species, this study does reveal the species that have problems with ascent and provides an estimate on the time spent in the fishway that is an important component of passage delay. Such information could be used to inform future design refinements to facilitate passage of the entire assemblage with minimal delay. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TISSUE BIOPSY AS A MEANS OF ASSESSING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF FISHWAY PASSAGE

Beyond assessing passage efficiency of fishway structures, there is a need to examine the sublethal impacts of passage on the physiological condition of fish. Muscle and plasma samples were collected from pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) at four sites along a fishway and were compared in order to assess the effectiveness of these methods as they apply to fishway studies. Both plasma and muscle tissue revealed changes consistent with anaerobic activity when fish sampled from within the fishway were compared with field baseline estimates taken from fish sampled 50 m downstream of the fishway entrance. Plasma Cl^?, osmolality and haematocrit increased significantly (all p < 0.01) during ascent, whereas muscle glycogen and phosphocreatine declined (both p < 0.03). Both plasma and muscle tissue collected from fish sampled at a site just upstream of the fishway showed physiological profiles that were consistent with metabolic recovery relative to physiological conditions during passage: plasma lactate, haematocrit and muscle lactate had decreased (all p < 0.01), and muscle phosphocreatine increased (p = 0.01). When examining the physiological changes that specifically occurred between the two sites within the fishway structure, we found no differences in plasma samples, but muscle lactate and water content both showed significant changes (both p < 0.05). These results are consistent with the greater sensitivity of muscle tissue than of blood to exercise‐related physiological changes and highlight the usefulness of sampling muscle tissue for assessing fishways that ascended in a short time. Fishway studies could benefit from greater inclusion of physiological tools and approaches to identify the costs of passage and areas of difficulty within a fishway. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Body size,experience, and sex do matter: Multiyear study shows improved passage rates for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) through small‐scale Denil and pool‐and‐weir fishways

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) passage through 3 fishways was assessed during the 2013–2016 spawning runs in 3 rivers of the Isthmus of Chignecto, Canada. From April 24 to June 10, 5,423 alewife with a mean ± SD fork length of 227 ± 18 mm were tagged with passive integrated transponders. During their tagging year, approximately half of individuals (40% to 64%) went undetected whereas those detected used fishways from April 16 to July 8. Detected alewife were significantly longer than those undetected. Attraction rates to fishway entrances in 2015 and 2016 ranged from 85% to 98%. Annual fishway passage rates for pooled fish tagged that year and returnees, varied from 64% to 97% for 2 Denil style fishways. A pool‐and‐weir fishway that was dysfunctional (2013), repaired (2014), and replaced (2015–2016) yielded 0.5%, 25%, 60%, and 73% annual pooled passage rates, respectively. Larger individuals, previously tagged returnees, and males compared to females of a similar size had higher passage success suggesting some fishways may apply population‐level selective pressures. Alewife passage rates related to fishway style, design, and proper function, with greater passage for the 2 Denils than the pool‐and‐weir fishway in our study. Regular structural maintenance and fish passage reviews are essential management considerations to ensure fishway functioning and river connectivity. Replacement of a fishway with poor fish passage may be the best option to improve passage rates. Future research should address the effects of multiple anthropogenic instream obstructions, environmental variables, negative sublethal post‐tagging effects, and the importance of returnees on fish passage rates in fishways.     

Connectivity is a two‐way street—the need for a holistic approach to fish passage problems in regulated rivers

We evaluated the effects of a rehabilitation project, whose goal was to re‐establish longitudinal connectivity for anadromous trout in the regulated river Emån. We used a holistic approach, by tagging and following both upstream‐migrating spawners (N = 348) and downstream‐migrating smolts (N = 80) and kelts as they passed two hydroelectric plants (HEP 2‐3) with nature‐like fishways. When migrating upstream, 84–88% of the spawners stopped, primarily at spawning grounds, before reaching HEP2. The proportion of stoppers was lower (56%) for fish that had been to the fishways in previous years, indicating that the recolonization rate is likely to increase over time. Of the spawners that approached the fishway at HEP2, 77% rapidly located the fishway situated next to the tail‐race, resulting in an attraction efficiency of 81% and a passage efficiency of 95%. The time required to locate the fishway inside the former channel at HEP3 was substantial, but the attraction efficiency (89%) and passage efficiency (97%) were nevertheless high. The kelts swam downstream mainly in spring, using spill gates and the fishways, to swim past HEP2 and 3 and continue downstream to the Baltic Sea. Iteroparity was confirmed by the fact that 20% of the spawners were tagged in previous years. Smolt loss was about 30% for both HEPs, with a higher turbine‐induced loss 30% for fish passing through Francis runners than a Kaplan runner. Fifteen per cent of the tagged smolt reached the sea and none of these fish had swum through the Francis runners. It will probably take many years before longitudinal connectivity is fully re‐established in the river Emån, due to substantial losses of both upstream‐migrating spawners (35% loss) and downstream‐migrating smolts (50%) and kelts. In addition, smolt production in areas upstream of HEP3 is far below carrying capacity. Thus, additional measures that not only facilitate movement of upstream spawners, but also reduce mortality and injuries of downstream migrants are urgently needed to create a self‐sustaining fish population. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Promising designs of fishways

Conclusion The use of the fishway designs given above will make it possible to increase the passage of spawners to spawning grounds and thereby to increase the number of valuable commercial fish species in inland water bodies.Translated from Gidrotekhnicheskoe Stroitel'stvo, No. 7, pp. 15–17, July, 1988.     

基于鱼类集群及上溯通道分析的鱼道进口位置论证

为确保大渡河龚嘴水电站鱼道能够成功过鱼,基于龚嘴水电站坝下河段鱼类集群分布的水声学观测结果,结合研究河段水流条件,分析鱼类集群分布特征,并根据主要过鱼对象关于水力学因子的适宜性特征,提取坝下河段鱼类主要上溯通道,论证龚嘴水电站鱼道进口布置方案。结果表明:坝下河段鱼类垂向分布范围为1.15~11.62 m,主要分布在中下层水域;鱼群主要集中在河段中上游区域;鱼类上溯通道分布于靠近两侧河岸的水域,流速为0.1~1.2 m/s;在北纬29.290°~29.292°范围内,存在横跨整个河宽的鱼类集中分布区域,说明该区域内流场条件能够较好地满足河段过鱼对象的上溯需求。本研究从鱼类集群及上溯通道分布两个方面对鱼道进口布置进行论证,提出较合理的鱼道进鱼口位置,研究结果可为其他水电站鱼道进口布置提供参考。     

过鱼设施进口及吸引流设计

利用过鱼设施效果评价模型,分析得到过鱼设施进口吸引流是影响过鱼设施效果的关键因素。通过研究我国过鱼设施现状,指出我国过鱼设施在进口吸引流设计方面存在的不足。结合水利水电工程特性,从过鱼设施吸引流和竞争流的角度出发,给出了过鱼设施位置、进口位置、进口朝向、进口吸引流流量和流速等关键问题的设计思路,并提出了过鱼设施进口概化模型。     

Bidirectional connectivity via fish ladders in a large Neotropical river: Response to a comment

In a recent article, we described fitting electronic tags to the fish Prochilodus lineatus to document how a fishway connected aquatic habitats downstream and upstream of a major dam. Moreover, given that tagged fish remained upstream or downstream for periods extending months and years before returning to the fishway, and that observed patterns of passage were consistent with seasonal migratory cycles, and building on existing literature, we speculated that the fishway allows fish access to spawning habitats upstream and feeding habitats downstream. Our interpretation of the movement data resulted in several comments from Pelicice, Pompeu, and Agostinho (2020) and they outline various reasons by which, in their opinion, some of our conclusions may be mistaken. Their critique is threefold. First, they argue that the percentage of fish attracted into the fishway is too low to consider the fishway an effective link between the reservoir and the river downstream. We contend that without estimates of population size it is impossible to judge if 28% passage is “limited”; conceivably, the absolute number of fish passed may still be enough to maintain a viable population. Second, they assert that because receivers were located only in the fishway it is unknown if fish that used the fishway remained near the dam, or if they continued their migration. We counter with a brief literature review that documents P. lineatus migrating through reservoirs and spawning in tributaries. Third, they advocate for a broader conservation perspective and for additional research. We agree and, in the article, had already expressed this view that fishways are only a temporary fix and that we support their use only as an element of a broader environmental management package. We also agree with the need for more research but argue that procrastinating on conservation action may not be wise because we do not know if the research will be done, how long it will take, or what the cost may be of waiting.