Concurrent Sessions B: Columbia River Passage - Hydroturbine Passage Related Barotrauma Research in the Columbia River Basin: How Far Have We Come?

Agriculture Production Theater, Oregon State University

Within the past decades, most of the research related to hydroturbine passage has centered on seaward migrating juvenile salmonids. Throughout the years the techniques and technologies used to study barotrauma have evolved as have our understanding of the causal pathways. Tools, such as the Sensor Fish that are used to measure pressure changes fish are exposed to when passing turbines have also improved considerably. Research has also begun to be done on other fish types such as lamprey and sturgeon. This past research has led to a rethinking of the fundamental way that turbine survival studies are conducted and evaluated and how past research should be viewed. Having a comprehensive understanding of the effects of barotrauma in fish is increasingly important as the need to expand energy output of current hydropower facilities exists. This presentation will provide an overview of past, present and future research on hydroturbine passage and will detail stumbling blocks experienced upon the way and common misconceptions about turbine survival research.