The Application of Traits-Based Assessment Approaches to Estimate the Effects of Hydroelectric Turbine Passage on Fish Populations

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1038082· OSTI ID:1038082

Čada, Glenn F. ^[1]; Schweizer, Peter E. ^[1]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

One of the most important environmental issues facing the hydropower industry is the adverse impact of hydroelectric projects on downstream fish passage. Fish that migrate long distances as part of their life cycle include not only important diadromous species (such as salmon, shads, and eels) but also strictly freshwater species. The hydropower reservoirs that downstream-moving fish encounter differ greatly from free-flowing rivers. Many of the environmental changes that occur in a reservoir (altered water temperature and transparency, decreased flow velocities, increased predation) can reduce survival. Upon reaching the dam, downstream-migrating fish may suffer increased mortality as they pass through the turbines, spillways and other bypasses, or turbulent tailraces. Downstream from the dam, insufficient environmental flow releases may slow downstream fish passage rates or decrease survival.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1038082
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM--2012/110; CEEB099; EB4500000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
ENTRAINMENT
FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES
FORECASTING
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LIFE CYCLE
MODIFICATIONS
MORPHOLOGY
MORTALITY
PHYSIOLOGY
RIVERS
SALMON
SENSITIVITY
SPILLWAYS
STRESSES
TESTING
TOXICITY
TROUT
TURBINES
TURBULENCE