Location
UMass Amherst
Start Date
29-6-2011 11:00 AM
End Date
29-6-2011 11:20 AM
Description
State and federal fish passage assessments often assume that culverts of even modest slopes and velocities are barriers to upstream passage of salmonids. Preliminary research under controlled conditions demonstrate that native coastal cutthroat trout can move upstream through conditions that would be judged complete barriers using widely applied and accepted fish passage criteria. Our work suggests that the fish are exploiting boundary layers within the culvert that provide more favorable hydraulic conditions than average build velocity calculations presume. This presentation provides a preliminary summary of research from a detailed set of passage trials designed to test the ability of native cutthroat trout to move through culverts typical of those used on forest roads. Research is ongoing and trials are expected to be complete in 2011.
Session A7- Passage of native cutthroat trout through small culverts on steep slopes: what are the limits?
UMass Amherst
State and federal fish passage assessments often assume that culverts of even modest slopes and velocities are barriers to upstream passage of salmonids. Preliminary research under controlled conditions demonstrate that native coastal cutthroat trout can move upstream through conditions that would be judged complete barriers using widely applied and accepted fish passage criteria. Our work suggests that the fish are exploiting boundary layers within the culvert that provide more favorable hydraulic conditions than average build velocity calculations presume. This presentation provides a preliminary summary of research from a detailed set of passage trials designed to test the ability of native cutthroat trout to move through culverts typical of those used on forest roads. Research is ongoing and trials are expected to be complete in 2011.
Comments
Phil Peterson is a professional fisheries biologist with 30 years experience in Pacific Northwest water and land use issues. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in biology from Principia College and his Masters Degree in fisheries science from the University of Washington. He has a broad applied background in fish biology and stream and riparian forest interactions. In his career Peterson has worked directly for a Pacific Northwest Indian Tribe, the University of Washington, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Simpson Timber Company and he now operates his own consulting firm.