Fish passage over hydraulic structures in Midwestern Rivers of the USA

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the hydraulic performance of knickpoint-control structures (i.e., riprap weirs, grouted-riprap weirs, baffled and non-baffled fish ladders) to facilitate unimpeded fish passage. The hydraulic performance of these structures, located in Midwestern streams, was evaluated by determining the mean and turbulent flow characteristics in the vicinity of the structures via detailed field tests. Non-intrusive mean flow measurements were performed using a 3-dimensional sidelooking Flowtracker handheld Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) and by utilizing the newly developed Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) technique. Non-intrusive turbulent flow measurements were performed using a field ADV with a high sampling frequency. Results from the mean flow measurements illustrated that the mean flow depth (Y) and velocity (V) atop the structures were critical for evaluating the performance of the structures. In addition, the present study suggested that the (Y, V) should be viewed in conjunction with the drainage area (DA), slope (S) of the structure, and structure type. The DA size affected (Y, V) in the streams, S affected the power of the water action, and the structure type could cause flow acceleration/deceleration. Results from the turbulent flow measurements illustrated that the flow approaching the structures became 3-dimensonal, while the size of eddies in the baffled fish ladder were found to disorient fish in the transverse direction due to sudden constriction. In short, the results presented herein illustrated that a complete assessment of the hydraulic performance of structures should include not only the conventional permissible criteria for (Y, V) but also the turbulent flow characteristics at the locations atop the structures.

Behavior of western blacknose dace in a turbulence modified flow field

“…These problems are commonly associated with private and public infrastructure such as dams, culverts, water diversions, and grade control structures (Castro-Santos et al, 2009;Dermisis and Papanicolaou, 2009;Norman et al, 2009;Castro-Santos and Haro, 2010;Martens and Connolly, 2010;Hall et al, 2011). Often this infrastructure disrupts or prohibits natural fish movement patterns, fragments fish habitat, degrades populations, and influences overall biotic structure of aquatic systems (Pratt et al, 2009;Bestgen et al, 2010;Bouska and Paukert, 2010;Castro-Santos and Haro, 2010;Hall et al, 2011).…”

“…Of the aforementioned factors, turbulence has received increased scrutiny because forces imparted onto fish from eddies potentially can modify fish swimming rates, which can force them to accelerate through particular areas, or may affect a fish's position and balance, which can cause a fish to decrease its speed or to become disoriented (Dermisis and Papanicolaou, 2009). Fish also may expend extra energy when swimming through turbulent regions, especially if there is non-periodicity in the turbulence (Lacey et al, 2012).…”

Effects of Grade Control Structures on Fish Passage, Biological Assemblages and Hydraulic Environments in Western Iowa Streams: A Multidisciplinary Review

“…Papanicolaou and Dermisis () and Dermisis and Papanicolaou () studied the hydraulic characteristics of GCS in numerous western Iowa streams, including Walnut and Turkey Creeks, during fall and spring seasons, to assess a range of flow conditions. Twenty‐two GCSs (Table , Figure ) were selected for determination of hydraulic characteristics, including eight riprap weirs (Figure A), ten grouted riprap weirs (Figure B, C) and four fish ladder weirs (baffled and unbaffled) (Figure D).…”

“…The Hungry Canyons Alliance, a locally formed and managed regional organization of counties in western Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources commissioned multidisciplinary research (Larson et al ., ; Papanicolaou and Dermisis, ; Litvan et al ., ‐c; Dermisis and Papanicolaou, ) to determine (i) effects of GCS on the biophysical nature of western Iowa streams, (ii) the GCS slope striking the optimum balance between allowing fish passage while minimizing construction costs, and (iii) effects of GCS on fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages. The purpose of this review is to synthesize results of this research.…”

Fish passage using broad-crested labyrinth weirs for low-head dams

“…From the documented research, fish passage has focused primarily anadromous fish and to a lesser extent residential fish (Dermisis et al 2009). Common North American anadromous species include species of shad, salmon, Atlantic sturgeon, alewife and lamprey.…”