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Results for “Journal of Ecohydraulics”

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13 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2017

The effects of horizontally and vertically oriented baffles on flow structure andascent performance of upstream-migrating fish

Considerable effort has been expended to construct culverts and fishways that allow for fish passage. However, the designs have seldom considered behaviour, energetics, and biomechanics of fish. In this study, we performed controlled experiments, in which upstreammigrating Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were allowed to volitionally enter either one of two open channels. These channels were outfitted with horizontally and vertically oriented baffles. The flow structure was characterized using acoustic Doppler velocimeter measurements. The added baffles had a marked influence on the flow field, which was distinct between horizontal and vertical baffles, indicative of horizontally and vertically orientated vortices, respectively. Passage success was measured, both in terms of attraction and ascent performance under each flow condition. The results indicated that Alewife and Brook Trout staged significantly more attempts into the vertical baffled channel compared to the horizontal baffled channel. However, Alewife traversed greater distances swimming in the channel with the horizontal baffles at the lower flow condition. Brook Trout also swam further under low flow but traversed similar dtistances in both channels. This information furthers our understanding of both ascent performance and behavioural responses of fish in relation to turbulent flow and roughness orientation.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2018

Effect of river confinement on depth and spatial extent of bed disturbance affecting salmon redds

Human impacts on rivers threaten the natural function of riverine ecosystems. This paper assesses how channel confinement affects the scour depth and spatial extent of bed disturbance and discusses the implications of these results for salmon-redd disturbance in gravel-bedded rivers. Two-dimensional hydrodynamic models of relatively confined and unconfined reaches of the Cedar River in Washington State, USA, were constructed with surveyed bathymetry and available airborne lidar data then calibrated and verified with field observations of water-surface elevation and streamflow velocity. Simulations showed greater water depths and velocities in the confined reach and greater areas of low-velocity inundation in the unconfined reach at high flows. Data on previously published scour depth of bed disturbance during high flows were compared to simulated bed shear stress to construct a probabilistic logistic-regression model of bed disturbance, which was applied to spatial patterns of simulated bed shear stress to quantify the extent of likely bed disturbance to the burial depth of sockeye and Chinook salmon redds. The disturbance depth was not observed to differ between confined and unconfined reaches; however, results indicated the spatial extent of disturbance to a given depth in the confined reach was roughly twice as large as in the unconfined reach.

Washington↗
USGS2019

Remote sensing of tracer dye concentrations to support dispersion studies in river channels

In river channels the flow field influences the dispersion of biota, contaminants, and other suspended or dissolved materials. Insight on patterns and rates of dispersion can be gained by injecting a pulse of visible dye and observing spatial and temporal variations in dye concentration as the pulse moves downstream. We evaluated the potential of passive optical remote sensing to enhance such tracer experiments by providing spatially distributed concentration information. During tests performed in both an experimental flume facility and a large natural channel, we made field measurements of Rhodamine WT dye concentration and above-water spectral reflectance. At Korea's River Experiment Center, a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) was used to acquire hyperspectral images of a sinuous outdoor flume. On the Kootenai River in northern Idaho, USA, field spectra were collected from a boat and hyperspectral image data and high resolution aerial photographs were obtained from manned aircraft. We modified an Optimal Band Ratio Analysis (OBRA) algorithm to identify wavelength combinations that yielded strong correlations between a spectrally based quantity X and dye concentration C. For both the flume and field tests, we obtained very strong (R^2 from 0.94 to 0.99) relationships between X and C across a broad range of visible wavelengths. On the Kootenai, we found that X vs. C relations derived from field spectra could be applied to airborne hyperspectral images and that dye concentrations could be estimated nearly as reliably from relatively simple three-band images as from hyperspectral data. These results imply that remote sensing could become a powerful tool for mapping dye patterns. Such a capability would advance our understanding of dispersion processes by enabling more rigorous testing of numerical flow models.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2020

A Lagrangian particle-tracking approach to modelling larval drift in rivers

The migration of larval fish from spawning to rearing habitat in rivers is not well understood. This paper describes a methodology to predict larval drift using a Lagrangian particle-tracking (LPT) model with passive and active behavioural components loosely coupled to a quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model. In the absence of measured larval drift, a heuristic approach is presented for the larval drift of two species of interest, white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and burbot ( Lota lota ), in the Kootenai River, Idaho. Previous studies found that many fish species prefer certain vertical zones within the water column; sturgeon tend to be found near the bottom and burbot close to the water surface. Limiting the vertical movement of larvae is incorporated into the active component of the LPT model. The results illustrate a pattern of drift where secondary flow in meander bends and other zones of flow curvature redistributes particles toward the outside of the bend for surface drifters and toward the inside of the bend for bottom drifters. This pattern periodically reinforces the intersection of drifting larvae with channel margins in meander bends. In the absence of measured larval drift data, the model provides a tool for hypothesis testing and a guide to both field and laboratory experiments to further define the role of active behaviour in drifting larvae.

Idaho↗
USGS2020

Adult sea lamprey respond to induced turbulence in a low current system

Manipulation of water velocities and turbulence using pumps, propellers, or jets is a promising alternative to physical water control structures to guide fish towards traps or fishways. Sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) are a species of concern in much of their native and invasive ranges, and their improved guidance could benefit management actions for both conservation and control. The flow velocity enhancement system (FVES), an emergent technology that uses a Venturi pump to generate a plume of turbulence, has shown promise guiding downstream migrating fish in slow-moving or static water conditions formed by large reservoirs, but is untested for guidance of upstream swimming fish in low current environments. The FVES had minimal impact on depth averaged velocity profiles, but produced elevated levels of turbulence. Changes in spatial distribution and number of turns suggest sea lamprey detect and are mildly attracted to turbulence induced by the FVES. These results demonstrate the potential of induced turbulence as a guidance mechanism for upstream migrating sea lamprey, but more extensive testing is needed to show the full utility of this approach.

Michigan↗
USGS2020

Identifying turbulence features hindering swimming capabilities of grass carp larvae (Ctenopharyngodon idella) through submerged vegetation

Aquatic vegetation can provide habitat and refuge for a variety of species in streams. However, the flow features generated by submerged patches of vegetation can also pose a challenge for fish larvae. We conducted a series of experiments with live grass carp larvae (starting ∼50 h post hatch) in a laboratory racetrack flume, using a submerged array of rigid cylinders to mimic vegetation. We used particle image velocimetry to characterize the flow field, and particle tracking velocimetry to obtain position and displacement of the fish. Four speeds and two submergence ratios were investigated. In contrast with previous studies with grass carp eggs, our data showed an active response from larvae to determine their position. Our study shows that: (1) mean velocity by itself is not a reliable predictor, as some larvae will seemingly prefer to be in areas of higher speeds with lower shear and turbulence, (2) turbulence characteristics can be used to identify areas avoided by larvae, (3) turbulence length scales are relevant to determine spatial distribution of larvae and their swimming capabilities within and above vegetated patches and similar roughness elements in streams. These findings can inform the design of monitoring and control strategies in rivers based on turbulence and turbulence scales generated by natural and man-made instream structures.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2020

Assessing contributions of cold-water refuges to reproductive migration corridor conditions for adult salmon and steelhead trout in the Columbia River, USA

Diadromous fish populations face multiple challenges along their migratory routes. These challenges include suboptimal water quality, harvest, and barriers to longitudinal and lateral connectivity. Interactions among factors influencing migration success make it challenging to assess management options for improving migratory fish conditions along riverine migration corridors. We describe a spatially explicit simulation model that integrates complex individual behaviors of fall-run Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and summer-run steelhead trout ( O. mykiss ) during migration, responds to variable habitat conditions over a large extent of the Columbia River, and links migration corridor conditions to fish condition outcomes. The model is built around a mechanistic behavioral decision tree that drives individual interactions of fish within their simulated environments. By simulating several thermalscapes with alternative scenarios of thermal refuge availability, we examined how behavioral thermoregulation in cold-water refuges influenced migrating fish conditions. Outcomes of the migration corridor simulation model show that cold-water refuges can provide relief from exposure to high water temperatures, but do not substantially contribute to energy conservation by migrating adults. Simulated cooling of the Columbia River decreased reliance on cold-water refuges and there were slight reductions in migratory energy expenditure. This modeling of simulated thermalscapes provides a framework for assessing the contribution of cold-water refuges to the success of migrating fishes, but any final determination will depend on analyzing fish survival and health for their entire migration, water temperature management goals and species recovery targets.

Washington, Oregon, Idaho↗
USGS2021

Effect of backwatering a streamgage weir on the passage performance of adult American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Streamgage designs often include a full-width artificial hydraulic control (e.g., concrete weir) to aid in the computation of streamflow. While important to water resource managers, these weirs also tend to act as full or partial barriers to fish migration, effectively hindering the health and survival of these populations. In this study, we conducted experiments to quantify the effect of head drop and submergence of a common streamgage weir on the passage performance of an important migratory fish species, the American Shad. Three treatment conditions were selected based on the tailwater surface elevation ( El TW ): unsubmerged ( El TW = 1.05 m; head drop = 0.46 m), equal to the weir crest ( El TW = 1.20 m; head drop = 0.31 m), and submerged ( El TW = 1.36 m; head drop = 0.15 m). Fish movements were recorded via passive integrated transponder telemetry techniques. Results revealed that the backwatered Columbus-type weir was not a complete barrier at any of the three treatments, but passage was shown to be significantly impaired when the weir was unsubmerged. Passage efficiency for the unsubmerged, equal, and submerged treatments was 20.2 ± 6.2, 49.2 ± 7.2, and 64.2 ± 7.4%. Backwatering a weir, rather than removal or other major alterations that would affect weir calibration, may be an acceptable retrofit to increase fish passage.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2022

A scaled Denil fishway for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling

Denil fishways have been used with varying success to help fish pass impediments to upstream passage such as low head dams or irrigation diversion structures. They have been tested for hydraulic and fish passage performance in laboratory and field settings, usually with only minor modifications to the fishway geometry or dimensions. We tested a reduced (0.6) scale prototype of the standard-sized Denil fishway to determine if the smaller fishway, which requires less water flow, would successfully pass Arctic Grayling ( Thymallus arcticus ). The scaling factor was informed by analyzing previously published scalable Denil fishway rating equations. A prototype was tested in an open-channel flume using 8 treatments with 3 trials per treatment and 8 fish per trial. Each treatment had a prescribed combination of headwater and tailwater depths. Overall, 93% (178/191) of the fish volitionally entered the fishway and of these 91% (162/178) passed successfully. Entrance and passage were reduced only in treatments with the highest hydraulic slopes and highest water velocities at the downstream end of the fishway (i.e. with high headwater depths and low tailwater depths). The 0.6-scaled Denil fishway is likely a good alternative to standard-sized Denil fishways to enhance upstream mobility of Arctic Grayling in small, water-limited streams.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2023

Wall diffuser velocity effects on American shad (Alosa sapidissima) inside a fishway entrance channel

Attraction water for fishways is typically introduced through a diffuser inside the entrance channel, often through the floor or wall. In the spring of 2019, this laboratory study examined how 151 adult American Shad ( Alosa sapidissima ) responded to different gross velocities through a wall diffuser inside a full-scale fishway entrance channel. Two velocity conditions were studied, 0.152 m/s and 0.305 m/s, both without turning vanes inside the auxiliary water channel. The fish were tracked using the passive integrated transponder telemetry technique. The results of the experiments showed no difference in American Shad behavior when exhibited to the low and high velocity treatments. Moreover, shad passed the diffuser in roughly 3 out of every 4 attempts, regardless of the treatment. However, the similarity in shad behavior and passage performance is believed to be more of a result of the similarity in flow fields that resulted from the lack of flow guidance devices inside the auxiliary water channel. These findings therefore highlight the importance of properly maintained flow guidance devices, an often-overlooked component of an auxiliary water system.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2024

The influence of channel morphology and hydraulic complexity on larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) drift and dispersal dynamics in the Fort Peck Segment, Upper Missouri River: Insights from particle tracking simulations

Longitudinal dispersal of migratory fish species can be interrupted by factors that fragment rivers, such as dams and reservoirs with incompatible habitats, and indirect alterations to variables, such as water temperature or turbidity. The endangered pallid sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus albus ) population in the Upper Missouri River Basin in North Dakota and Montana is an example of such fragmentation and alteration due to the construction of dams. We applied a high-resolution, 2+-dimensional modelling framework composed of hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle tracking components to simulate pallid sturgeon larval drift and dispersal along a 33-km section of the Upper Missouri River to evaluate three main issues: a comparison between multidimensional models and traditional 1-dimensional models, the sensitivity of hydrodynamics to channel morphology, and the implications of channel morphology on retention and transport-time metrics for larval fish. The results indicate that multidimensional models better represent breakthrough curves of transporting larvae compared to 1-dimensional models, especially for the long tail of slow drifters in the population. Results also indicate that channel morphology and hydraulic complexity play significant roles in larval dispersal with certain flow conditions and channel features increasing larval retention and providing potential management options to increase survival rates by adjusting flow conditions during spawning events. For example, modelling indicates increased retention times at discharges 23–38% daily flow exceedance, coincident with emergence of mid-channel sandbars. Findings additionally emphasize the need for improved understanding of biological factors that affect larval drift and dispersal.

Montana, North Dakota↗
USGS2024

Limiting downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates using a laboratory-scale oblique bubble screen

We conceptualize and test a non-intrusive barrier, comprised of an oblique bubble screen (OBS) oriented at an angle to the mean flow, to prevent the downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates. Three surrogates of different densities and diameters were tested. Secondary flows created by the OBS were tuned to redirect surrogate eggs to facilitate their capture. Surface particle image velocimetry and acoustic Doppler velocimetry were used to characterize secondary flows. We assessed the influence of airflow rate, OBS angle, mean flow velocity, and surrogate density on particle redirection. In general, redirection efficiency improves by increasing the OBS angle with respect to the cross-section. At a mean flow velocity of 0.75 metres per second (m/s), the OBS system redirected up to 60% (%) of positively buoyant particles (specific gravity SG = 0.9, and diameter d = 7.09 millimetres [mm]) and 40% of semi-buoyant particles (SG = 1.001, d = 3.1 mm). Negatively buoyant particles (SG = 1.04, and d = 5.90 mm) were redirected by the physical structure of the diffuser rather than by OBS-induced flow. The study shows that an OBS system can be used to effectively redirect carp-egg surrogates over a wide range of particle sizes and densities, allowing for selective targeting of undesired particles in streams.

Journal of Ecohydraulics↗
USGS2020

Does channel narrowing by floodplain growth necessarily indicate sediment surplus? Lessons from sediment‐transport analyses in the Green and Colorado rivers, Canyonlands, Utah

Analyses of suspended sediment transport provide valuable insight into the role that sediment supply plays in causing geomorphic change. The sediment supply within a river system evolves depending on the discharge, flood frequency and duration, changes in sediment input, and ecohydraulic conditions that modify sediment transport processes. Changes in supply can be evaluated through analyses of coupled changes in suspended sediment concentration and grain size. The concentration of sand in transport in the Green and Colorado Rivers is most strongly controlled by discharge and the bed sand grain size distribution. Since the 1950s, sand loads have decreased in response to declines in peak discharge in the Green River and coarsening of the bed sand in the Colorado River. However, changes in the bed sand grain size distribution are associated with large changes in suspended sand concentration in both rivers; concentration varies by a factor of ~3 in the Green River and a factor of ~8 in the Colorado River, depending on the bed sand grain size distribution. Analyses of hysteresis in suspended sediment measurements show that sediment depletion during annual floods is most strongly controlled by flood duration, with peak discharge being nearly equally important in the Green River. Despite channel narrowing in both rivers, periods of bed sand coarsening and sediment depletion during annual floods indicate that these rivers are not necessarily in sediment surplus. Channel narrowing appears to be strongly controlled by short‐term declines in flood magnitude and the ecohydraulic effects of vegetation and may not be indicative of the long‐term sediment budget.

Utah↗