Conference Proceedings

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Bioengineering Problems in River Systems of the Central Valley, California
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Brown, R L
California's Sacramento-San Joaquin River system drains the Central Valley and has been extensively developed to provide water to domestic, industrial, and agricultural users and to control floods. The system also provides essential habitat for several species of anadromous and resident fish, including chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and striped bass Morone saxatilis . This article describes three situations (Red Bluff Diversion Dam, the upper Sacramento River, and Delta diversions) in which bioengineering has been used, or will be used, to develop measures designed to protect fishery resources at water project features. In general, mitigation measures have not always been effective, partly because of poor communication among biologists, planners, and design engineers. There are indications in California that project planners are now more aware of fishery concerns and that this awareness will result in more effective engineering solutions to complex biological problems.
The Application of Dual-Beam Acoustic Survey Techniques for Fish Population Estimation in Lakes
(American Fisheries Society, 1985) Burczynski, J J; Karp, W A
Hydroacoustic surveys were conducted on Cultus Lake in British Columbia and Lake Oahe in South Dakota in July, 1983. Dual-beam and echo integration techniques were employed. Estimates of pelagic fish abundance were obtained at Cultus Lake compared well with those obtained from mid-water trawl samples. Acoustic target strength data collected at Lake Oahe indicated a bimodal size distribution of fish; mid-water trawl samples indicated that this distribution was due to the presence of adult and juvenile rainbow smelt.
Small Hydropower Development and Fisheries Protection: Problems, Policies, and Proposals for Reform
(American Fisheries Society, 1985) Brown, P W
The last 6-7 years have seen a dramatic shift from large scale, federal agency and utility hydro development to small scale entrepreneurial development. This shift reduced funds available for studies and research on fisheries protection and, at the same time, increased the need for certainty in project requirements. Some examples of attempts to cope with these problems are discussed and some suggestions for reform are presented.
Experiences in evaluating surface and diffused-air aerators
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Boyd, C E
Vertical pump, pump sprayer, propeller-aspirator-pump, paddle wheel, and diffused-air aerators powered by electric motors or by takeoffs from farm tractors are used widely to aerate aquaculture ponds. Performance tests suggested that electric paddle wheel aerators are the most efficient in transferring oxygen and circulating pond water. A design for a highly efficient paddle wheel aerator is described. Aeration can improve dissolved oxygen concentrations, enhance the efficiency of feed utilization, and increase aquacultural production and profits. Aerator placement and the use of aerator controllers are discussed.
The Great Columbia River Basin Flow Debate: What Are They Saying and Why?
(American Fisheries Society, 1993) Brown, B J
Dam development caused physical changes in the Columbia River system. Two major physical changes are described. Key biological information on the effects of these changes on Snake River chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is reviewed. Effects on other species, such as steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and on other stocks such as Mid-Columbia chinook, are not separately addressed, though many of the problems are the same. Present and future mitigation for these effects is discussed.
Three-dimensional movement of silver-phase American eels in the forebay of a small hydroelectric facility
(American Fisheries Society, 2009-01-01) Brown, L; Haro, A; Castro-Santos, T
Declines in the population of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, alongthe northwestern Atlantic have stimulated resource managers to consider the impactof hydroelectric facilities on silver-phase eels as they migrate downstream to thesea. During the fall of 2002, we investigated the movement of migrant eels passingdownstream of a small hydroelectric facility on the Connecticut River (Massachusetts).We used three-dimensional acoustic telemetry to monitor fine-scale movementof telemetered silver eels in the forebay (the first 100 m of area directly upstream ofthe dam). Eel movements were tracked approximately every three seconds, and individualswimming pathways were reconstructed to compare the three-dimensional resultswith biotelemetry methods previously used at this site; conventional telemetrysystems included radio, PIT, and acoustic telemetry. We found that three-dimensionalacoustic telemetry provided the necessary fine-scale resolution to characterize dominantmovement patterns and locations of passage. Eels were detected at all depthsthroughout the forebay; however, they spent the greatest proportion of their timenear the bottom, with occasional vertical movements to the surface. Eels exhibiteda range of movements interpreted to be downstream searching behavior, includingaltered vertical and horizontal positions at or near the trash racks and various loopingmovements directly upstream of the trash racks and throughout the entire forebay. Asubstantial number of these eels (28%) were detected re-entering the acoustic arrayon multiple dates before passing the station. The majority (89%) were detected passingdownstream of the dam through the turbines.
Use of Multiple Unequally-Sized Turbines to Reduce Flow Fluctuations Below Hydroelectric Dams
(American Fisheries Society, 1985) Bowman, M L; Weisberg, S B
By incorporating multiple turbines of varying sizes into project designs, hydroelectric developers can reduce the large fluctuations in flow typically associated with the storage and release mode of operation. This system has been used twice in Maryland - at the Gilpin Falls project in Cecil County, and at Brighton Dam on the Patuxent River - to reduce large flow fluctuations that would have occurred had the developers' original designs been used. The results were: (1) 70- and 17-fold daily flow fluctuations were reduced to 3-fold fluctuations, (2) the minimum flow was increased, (3) power generation was increased, and (4) the developers lost very little revenue. Multiple turbine designs are effective because a choice of turbines or turbine combinations enables the developer to spread the release of peaking flows over the entire period when peak buy-back rates are in effect. With a single turbines, the same volume of water is released over a shorter time period, resulting in greater fluctuations in flow. Additionally, with a single large turbine, no generation occurs during periods of minimum flow, giving developers a strong incentive to keep this flow as low as possible. With a multiple-turbine design, the smallest turbine can be use during periods of minimum flow, and the revenue lost by releasing additional water during off-peak periods can be partially or totally offset by producing power with water that would otherwise have been replaced without generation.
Design, operation, and evaluation of an inverted, inclined, outmigrant fish screen
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Bomford, J A; Lirette, M G
A unique screening device for juvenile fish has been built on, and is operating in, a hydroelectric canal on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The canal diverts up to 42.5 m3/s, and the screen is designed to remove outmigrant smolts of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss and coho salmon O. kisutch from the canal inflow and return them to the Salmon River. The 25-m-long by 6.7-m-wide screen is supported on a removable steel truss suspended in a rectangular section of the canal flowing at a depth of 2.9 m. It incorporates 170 m2 of slotted woven-wire-mesh screen, and when in service, it inclines downward in the downstream direction, forcing fish into a collector resting on the canal floor at its lower end. The collector diverts the fish laterally out of the canal and into the bypass works. Although the screen provides less than 100% protection, because of compromises required by budgetary constraints, it is a practical, cost-effective alternative to more conventional designs. With appropriate design modifications, this type of screen could function with higher efficiencies at little additional cost, and in streams with fish of all life stages.
Construction, operation, and evaluation of groundwater-fed side channels for chum salmon in British Columbia
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Bonnell, R G
Since 1978, more than 40 groundwater-fed side channels have been built in British Columbia, totaling over 100,000 m2 of new or improved salmonid spawning and rearing area. The technique involves grading down, deepening, and widening of intermittent or relic side channels on river floodplains to intercept subsurface flow. The constructed channels are rock-armored and protected from floods by dykes or local landforms. The channels are unmanned and depend on volitional entry of spawners and self-regulation of fish density. Methods of site selection, design, and construction are discussed. Data collected from 1978 to 1987 from 24 channels showed an annual production of emergent chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta of over 290 fry/m2 of developed spawning area, and a mean survival to emigration of over 16% of potential egg deposition. Yearling production of coho salmon O. kisutch was as high as 30 g/m2 in one channel in 1 year. Increasing coho salmon populations did not coincide with declining chum salmon production. A conservative benefit/cost ratio calculated for the technique was 1.7. Channels constructed with introduced graded spawning gravel substrates (i.e. 0% fines of 9.5 mm or less in diameter) did not result in greater survival or annual production of chum salmon fry than those constructed with existing gravel substrate (containing up to 15% fines of 1.6 mm and smaller), although construction costs for graded gravel averaged $4.00 (Canadian)/m2 higher. Production and survival of chum salmon remained high for more than 4 years following construction.
Evaluation of the Effects of Hydropeaking on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates using PHABSIM
(American Fisheries Society, 1985) Bovee, K D
The HABSP program computes a composite suitability for each microhabitat cell used in PHABSIM, by comparing the suitabilities of each cell at paired discharges. This allows the calculation of effective habitat for organisms, such as benthic macroinvertebrates, that cannot effectively move laterally to find suitable microhabitats under conditions of rapidly varied unsteady flow. The use of the model is demonstrated on the Williams Fork River, Colorado, using microhabitat criteria for a mayfly (Rhithrogena hageni) and a caddisfly (Cheumatopsyche sp.). Many evaluations of hydropeaking operations tend to focus on fish habitat, whereas the most important impact may be exerted on the food base. This may lead the investigator to adjust only the low release portion of the hydropeaking cycle. Use of effective habitat allows the investigator to evaluate the combined impact of both extremes on macroinvertebrate habitat.
FERC and the Fish
(American Fisheries Society, 1985) Bodi, F L
Existing hydroelectric projects have seriously reduced anadromous fish populations in the Northwest, and hundreds of new project proposals portend additional losses. As a result, federal and state fish and wildlife agencies and Indian tribes with treaty fishing rights have become active litigants in FERC hydroelectric proceedings. The agencies and tribes are seeking improved consideration of the public interest in fishery resources.
Biological Evaluation of the Behavioral Guidance Structure at Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, Washington in 1998
(American Fisheries Society, 2001-01-01) Adams, N S; Johnson, G E; Rondorf, D W; Anglea, S M; Wik, T
In 1998 a behavioral guidance structure (BGS; a steel wall 330m long and 17-24 m deep) was installed in the forebay of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, Washington. The purpose of the BGS was to change the horizontal distribution of downstream migrants approaching the south half of the powerhouse by guiding them toward the surface bypass and collector attached to the dam upstream of the north half of the powerhouses. The effectiveness of the BGS was evaluated with biotelemetry and hydroacoustics. The BGS was designed to be movable, thereby allowing a comparison between the horizontal distribution of the fish when the BGS was deployed as a diversion device and when the BGS was moved 800 m upstream of the dam and no longer influenced fish movements immediately upstream of the powerhouse. Radio telemetry and hydroacoustic techniques showed that about 80% of the fish migrating toward Turbines 1-3 were successfully diverted north. Radio telemetry data revealed that the mean residence times of chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead, and wild steelhead were 1.6, 1.7, and 2.4 times longer, respectively, when the BGS was out compared to when it was in. And overall fish passage efficiency was significantly higher when the BGS was in (93.7%) than out (91.2%).
Nibutani Style Fishway Gate (Swing-Shoot Type)
(1990) Watanabe, K; Itou, T; Marumoto, J
The flap gate for fishways in which each fish ladder is operated separately was developed as an accessory facility to the river gate. If a conventional fishway gate is installed in the fishway facility of a dam with a greatly fluctuating water level, dimension enlargement and gate mechanism complexity are among the anticipated problems. We developed a sectory gate type fishway gate by mobilizing the water way itself, ensuring excellent economy and stable function regardless of water level fluctuation.
Ration optimalization to reduce potential pollutants--preliminary results
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Asgard, T; Langaker, R M; Shearer, K D; Austreng, E; Kittelsen, A
The aim of the study was to use the nutrient and energy budgets from a practical farming situation for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to show how ration size and feed utilization determined the amount of nutrients in the effluent water. Separate budgets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and energy were determined showing the fractions of the effluent nutrients that came from feed loss, feces, and other excreta. The interrelationships between these fractions were compared between a group of fish whose ration size was well adapted to its biomass and whole feed loss was low and a group of fish fed in excess whose feed loss was high. This comparison indicated the uncertainty in composition of the effluent water in situations where the amount of feed loss is not determined. A Triangle filter was installed for filtering the effluent water. The flow diagrams pinpointed how optimalization of ration level and feed composition contribute to reduce pollution.
Evaluation of angled bar racks and louvers for guiding silver phase American eels
(American Fisheries Society, 2003-01-01) Amaral, S V; Winchell, F C; McMahon, B J; Dixon, D A
The ability of downstream migrant silver phase American eels Anguilla rostrata to guide along various configurations of angled bar racks (25- and 50-mm clear spacing) and louvers (50-mm clear spacing) was evaluated in a laboratory flume. Guidance tests were conducted with bar racks and louvers angled at 45 and 15 degrees to the approach flow at velocities of 0.3 m/s to 0.9 m/s. A full-depth bypass was used for all tests. Guidance efficiency was calculated by dividing the number of fish recovered from the bypass by the total number recovered downstream (bypass and entrainment combined). Mean guidance efficiency (MGE) with the 45-degree, 25-mm bar rack ranged from a low of 56.8% at 0.6 m/s to a high of 65.9% at 0.9 m/s. MGE of the 45-clegree, 50-mm bar rack decreased from 72.7% at 0.3 m/s to 54.5% at 0.9 m/s, while MGE of the 45-clegree louver ranged from a low of 34.9% at 0.3 m/s to a high of 61.9% at 0.6 m/s. Guidance efficiency was considerably higher for tests with the 15-degree structures, exceeding 88% at all velocities during tests with a solid bottom overlay placed over the lower 30 cm of each structure. During tests without the overlay in place and at a velocity of 0.6 m/s, guidance efficiency of both bar racks and louvers decreased to 83.3 and 60.7%, respectively. The estimated guidance efficiencies indicate that angled bar racks and louvers have potential for diverting American eels away from hydro intakes, particularly if a shallow angle is employed (e.g., 15 degrees to the approach flow). However, we believe our estimates of guidance efficiency are higher than would be experienced at an actual intake due to the full depth bypass, the limited depth of the flume, and the short length of each rack configuration that we evaluated.
Stream Habitat Management for Fish in the Northwestern United States: The Role of Riparian Vegetation
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Beschta, R L
Historical development and land-use patterns along streams draining forest and range watersheds in the northwestern USA have had major effects on riparian vegetation, channel characteristics, and fish habitat. The functional attributes of riparian vegetation that have been altered include the dissipation of stream energy and channel stability, stream shade and temperature control, nutrient cycling, sediment deposition and storage, water storage and release, and others. Recent attempts at enhancing degraded fish habitat include many bioengineering projects that are adding structures of various sizes, materials, and configurations to stream channels. However, a higher priority for the long-term improvement of fish habitat is the implementation of management practices that will allow and encourage the continued functioning and succession of riparian vegetation.
Power and Energy Implications of Passage Structures for Fish
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Behlke, C E
Fluid mechanic equations are used to show effects of virtual mass force, non-Archimedean buoyant force, and profile drag force on fish in several fish passage structures. Example problems are worked out to show computational procedures for calculating net propulsive force, net power, and net energy necessary for fish to swim in a lake, up a steep chute, and through the outlet, barrel and inlet of a culvert.
Pool-and-Chute Fishways
(American Fisheries Society, 1991) Bates, K
The pool-and-chute fishway is an economical means of providing fish passage over constructed barriers. Pool-and-chute fishways resemble pool-and-weir fishways at low flows and become baffled chutes at moderate to high flows. The economy of the concept is achieved by exceeding the usual criteria of fishway pool volume based on energy dissipation in each pool. The size and complexity of the structure are thus reduced. Design guidelines covering appropriate application and geometry ensure hydraulic conditions that allow fish passage. Cost comparisons based on actual and estimated construction costs of pool-and-chute and other styles of fishways verify the economic benefit of the concept.
Economic Culvert Design Using Fish Swimming Energy and Power Capabilities.
(American Fisheries Society, 1993) Behlke, C E; Kane, D L; McLean, R F; Travis, M D
Utilizing fish swimming power and energy capabilities and the hydraulic properties of culverts in those locations within culverts where fish actually swim, the writers have prepared a detailed manual of culvert design procedures for culverts which must provide safe passage of upstream moving, weak swimming fish. The design procedures utilize hydraulic formulae for profile drag, non-Archimedean buoyant forces, and virtual mass force to quantify the hydraulic conditions within a culvert that the design fish can sustain without exhaustion for various time durations. Final culvert design may then be selected on economic or other bases from the full range of trial designs that are hydraulically suitable for fish passage. This paper provides an overview of the analytical and biological methods used in the preparation of the design procedures and its associated software.
Some Aspects of Juvenile Anadromous Salmonid Behavior and Behavioral Studies, and Their Application to Development of Fish Passage Systems
(American Fisheries Society, 1993) Bakshtansky, E L; Nesterov, V D; Haro, A
Development of behavioral guidance systems for downstream migrant fishes has been hindered by a lack of understanding of natural migratory behaviors. Much of the existing data on behavior of downstream migrant salmonid juveniles is biased due to alteration of migratory behavior by capture methods, handling, use of hatchery fish, or unnatural experimental conditions. Predator avoidance and refuge-seeking are primary natural behaviors that may be used for guidance and protection of bypassed migrants in tailraces.

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