Concurrent Sessions D: Downstream Sturgeon Passage - Evaluation of Burst Speed in Sturgeon Based on Photographic Images and Deficiencies of Simple Methods
Location
Agriculture Science Theater, Oregon State University
Start Date
26-6-2013 11:40 AM
End Date
26-6-2013 12:00 PM
Description
This paper presents a simple method for calculation of burst speeds of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and short nose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) based on field observations of leaping sturgeon in the waters of the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers in Maine, USA. The applied method for calculation of burst speeds is based on equivalence of kinetic and potential energy and results in calculated burst speeds expressed in body-lengths-per-second (BLS) that exceed published swimming speeds for other sturgeon. The applied method has been discussed with fish passage professionals, including biologists and engineers, and while the applied method may be described as reasonably sound, the results must be considered with due caution when considering their application to evaluation of the potential for sturgeon to successfully negotiate fish passage systems. The intent of this talk is to present and dissect the applied method and to emphasize the potential deficiencies of deterministic analyses and evaluation of species-specific swimming speeds.
Concurrent Sessions D: Downstream Sturgeon Passage - Evaluation of Burst Speed in Sturgeon Based on Photographic Images and Deficiencies of Simple Methods
Agriculture Science Theater, Oregon State University
This paper presents a simple method for calculation of burst speeds of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and short nose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) based on field observations of leaping sturgeon in the waters of the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers in Maine, USA. The applied method for calculation of burst speeds is based on equivalence of kinetic and potential energy and results in calculated burst speeds expressed in body-lengths-per-second (BLS) that exceed published swimming speeds for other sturgeon. The applied method has been discussed with fish passage professionals, including biologists and engineers, and while the applied method may be described as reasonably sound, the results must be considered with due caution when considering their application to evaluation of the potential for sturgeon to successfully negotiate fish passage systems. The intent of this talk is to present and dissect the applied method and to emphasize the potential deficiencies of deterministic analyses and evaluation of species-specific swimming speeds.
Comments
Michael Chelminski is an environmental consultant and Principal at Stantec Consulting Services Inc. The focus of his work is on fisheries habitat restoration through improved upstream fish passage. The current focus of his work is decommissioning of legacy infrastructure (i.e., dam removal) as a means to improve access for indigenous fish to their historic habitats. Michael also scopes, evaluates, and designs upstream and downstream fish passage projects in the United States and Canada. He is a charter member of the ASCE-EWRI/AFS-BES Ad Hoc Committee on Fish Passage, a fisherman, has a MS in engineering from Utah State University and a BS in engineering from the University of Connecticut, and is a licensed professional engineer.