The impact of cold water releases on the critical period of post‐spawning survival and its implications for Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii): a case study of the Mitta Mitta River,southeastern Australia

The effects of cold water releases, as a by‐product of storing irrigation water in large dams, has been a source of great concern for its impact on native freshwater fish for some time. The Mitta Mitta River, northeast Victoria, is impacted by altered thermal regimes downstream of the fourth largest dam in Australia, Dartmouth dam, with some daily temperatures 10–12°C below normal. Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) were endemic to the Mitta Mitta River; however, resident Murray cod have not been found in this river since 1992. The response of eggs and hatched larvae from Murray cod to different temperature gradients of water were measured and the post‐spawning survival recorded. As a case study, post‐spawning survival was then inferred from flow data for each year of operation of Dartmouth Dam, recorded since first operation in 1978, and included in a stochastic population model to explore the impact of the altered (historical) thermal regime on population viability. Experimental results revealed no egg and larval survival below 13°C and predicted historical temperature regimes point to more than 15 years of low temperatures in the Mitta Mitta River. Population modelling indicates that the impact of cold water releases on post‐spawning survival is a significant threatening process to the viability of a Murray cod population. Additionally, we consider changes to the thermal regime to explore how the thermal impact of large dams may be minimized on downstream fish populations through incrementally increasing the temperature of the releases. The modelled Murray cod population responds to minor increases in the thermal regime; however, threats are not completely removed until an increase of at least 5–6°C. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of Keepit Dam on the temperature regime of the Namoi River,Australia

Modifications to water temperature caused by the release of hypolimnetic water from thermally stratified reservoirs pose a major threat to the aquatic biota of lowland rivers in Australia's Murray–Darling basin. Keepit Dam is earmarked as one of several deep‐release structures in the basin causing ecologically significant temperature modification over a large length of river. This study utilized discrete and continuously monitored historical water temperature data from stream gauging stations, together with reservoir thermal profile data, to assess the impacts of Keepit Dam on the thermal regime of the Namoi River. Modifications to selected components of the river's annual temperature cycle were quantified in relation to a pre‐dam temperature regime estimated from statistical models incorporating catchment, hydrological and sample attributes. Keepit Dam has modified the thermal regime of the Namoi River. The effect was greatest immediately downstream from the dam where the annual maximum daily temperature was approximately 5.0 °C lower and occurred three weeks later than the pre‐dam condition. This change was sufficient to disrupt thermal spawning cues for selected Australian native fish species. The magnitude of disturbance progressively diminished with distance from the dam. Key aspects of the river's annual temperature cycle were largely restored to the pre‐dam condition within 100 river km downstream from the dam, which is closer than previous estimates. However, there was marked inter‐annual variation in the magnitude of thermal modification and ecological impact as a result of year to year changes in tributary flow and reservoir behaviour. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三峡水库蓄水以来近坝区水温垂向结构分析

三峡水库是否存在低温下泄水流一直是国内外专家学者关注的热点问题之一。本文以三峡大坝上游距离最近的庙河断面作为典型断面,利用2004-2009年实测水温资料,分析三峡水库近坝区水域水温垂向结构,结果表明：三峡水库近坝区目前还没有形成温跃层;温差较大的区域（0-75 m）均位于电站取水口高程（110 m）以下;三峡水库不存在低温水流下泄问题。     

上游水库水温情势变化对中华鲟产卵江段水温的影响

针对三峡水库蓄水运行后中华鲟自然产卵期逐渐推迟的问题,对影响中华鲟繁殖关键要素水温的因素开展研究。基于三峡大坝及葛洲坝上下游典型断面的水温及气温实测资料,分析了三峡水库蓄水后10年(2003—2012年)的水温变化情势和影响葛洲坝下游中华鲟产卵江段特定时段水温的原因。结果表明:三峡水库蓄水后库区在10月水温高于蓄水前,对下游中华鲟产卵江段水温产生直接影响;局地气温变化与水温情势变化密切相关,是引起中华鲟产卵江段水温上升的根本原因,对水温上升的贡献度约为61%。     

Mitigation of cold‐water thermal pollution downstream of a large dam with the use of a novel thermal curtain

Hypolimnial releases from dams during periods of thermal stratification modify the downstream riverine thermal regime by decreasing water temperature and reducing natural diel thermal variability. This cold‐water thermal pollution in rivers can persist for hundreds of kilometres downstream of dams and impact important ecological processes such as fish spawning. To mitigate this problem, a first‐of‐its‐kind thermal curtain was fitted to the large bottom release Burrendong Dam on the Macquarie River, Australia. The thermal curtain acts by directing warmer, near‐surface epilimnial water to the low‐level hypolimnial offtake. This study aimed to test the efficacy of the thermal curtain by measuring temperatures before and after the curtains installation, quantifying the magnitude and extent of cold‐water thermal pollution along the Macquarie River downstream of Burrendong Dam. Epilimnial releases with use of the curtain increased diel temperature ranges and the mean monthly water temperature below the dam. Epilimnial releases with use of the curtain increased diel temperature ranges from 0.9°C to 2.5°C and reduced the difference between the mean monthly water temperature of an upstream control and a downstream site by up to 3.5°C. A comparison of the monthly temperature means along the river, indicated that thermal recovery, whereby temperatures returned to within the natural range of upstream temperatures occurred 45 km downstream of the dam during summer when the thermal curtain was deployed, compared with approximately 200 km prior to deployment of the curtain. Our study suggests that the use of thermal curtains can reduce cold‐water thermal pollution and improve ecological outcomes for river ecosystems downstream of dams.     

Longitudinal and temporal water temperature patterns in the Yangtze River and its influence on spawning of the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray 1835)

In this study, water temperature longitudinal and temporal patterns were investigated in four locations of the Yangtze River to identify their influence on spawning of the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray 1835). The results showed that, historically (1960–1980), the four locations, Pingshan (PS, 2,687 river kilometres [rkm]), Yichang (YC, 1,640 rkm), Chenglingji (CLJ, 1,265 rkm), and Hukou (HK, 805 rkm), all had similar average annual water temperatures (around 18.0 °C) but very different amplitudes: The upper two locations, PS (11.4–23.2 °C) and YC (9.1–25.9 °C), were relatively stable and had smaller amplitude than the lower two ones, CLJ (6.0–30.0 °C) and HK (5.9–30.8 °C). On the basis of the physiological effects for Chinese sturgeon, we defined three water temperature ranges: stressing (>23 °C), holding (23–20 °C), and spawning (20–16 °C). We found that the upper two locations with successful spawning of the Chinese sturgeon (PS and YC) had short or no stressing period but long holding and spawning periods. Currently (2013–2016), the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir increases the time for water temperature decreasing to 20 °C at the current spawning ground (YC) in autumn, which increases the stressing and holding periods, and has significant negative impact on the spawning of Chinese sturgeon. Nonetheless, considering the very high stressing temperature and the short duration of the holding and spawning periods at CLJ and HK, we propose that YC is still the most suitable spawning location for the Chinese sturgeon.     

CALCULATION OF FLOW FIELD AND ANALYSIS OF SPAWNING SITES FOR CHINESE STURGEON IN THE DOWNSTREAM OF GEZHOUBA DAM

The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser Sinensis) is one of the unique and important fishery resources in China. Since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam, the traditional migration route of the sturgeon has been blocked; consequently, the length of natural spawning sites is reduced from 800 km in the past to less than 5 km at present. As an endangered species, the Chinese sturgeon has become one of the most conserved aquatic species. In this article, the flow field of its spawning states in the downstream of Gezhouba Dam was simulated and analyzed using N-S equations and k ? ε turbulence model. Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method with the Finite Volume Method (FVM) was used to simulate the water-air two-phase flow to examine the computed area. On the basis of the ecological-hydraulic characteristics of Chinese sturgeon, the features of the flow field were investigated to provide theoretical support for the proper management of the Three Gorges Reservoir.     

CHUM SALMON SPAWNING ACTIVITY IN TRIBUTARIES BELOW BONNEVILLE DAM: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH TAILWATER ELEVATION AND SEASONAL PRECIPITATION

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) below Bonneville Dam migrate through as well as hold and spawn in both tributaries and mainstem areas of the Columbia River, USA. Whether fluctuations in tailwater elevation influence spawning in tributaries is unclear. We examined the relationship between Bonneville Dam tailwater elevation, seasonal precipitation and chum salmon spawning activities in three tributary spawning areas. In these tributaries, we assessed initial date of entry, time required to enter and length of spawning season, as well as the proportion of the total population that spawned in tributaries and the distribution of spawners among tributaries. Using linear regression, these variables were compared to cumulative hours of tailwater elevation ≥ 3.5 m and cumulative precipitation. Increased Bonneville Dam tailwater elevation was associated with later and longer lasting chum salmon spawning activities, but was not associated with the distribution of chum salmon spawners in tributaries. Increased seasonal precipitation was associated with a more prolonged spawning season and relatively even distribution of adult chum salmon, but was unrelated to the timing of chum salmon spawning in tributaries. The regulation of tailwater elevation downstream from Bonneville Dam can influence the spawning process for chum salmon in tributaries that enter the regulated area. How important this influence is to the decline of chum salmon in the Columbia River is unclear. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salmonid observations at a Klamath River thermal refuge under various hydrological and meteorological conditions

The Beaver Creek confluence with the main‐stem Klamath River was studied to assess salmonid use in a thermal mixing zone under various summer hydrological and meteorological conditions. Main‐stem flow releases from Iron Gate Dam ranged from 17 cms (615 cfs) to 37 cms (1320 cfs) during the study period and main‐stem water temperatures ranged from 19.5 to 26°C. A grid was constructed to define the thermal refuge as a system of cells. Temperatures were monitored using remote temperature loggers and fish counts were conducted using daytime snorkelling. Most juvenile salmonids were observed moving into the refuge when main‐stem temperatures exceeded 22–23°C. Salmonids in the thermal refuge did not necessarily seek the coolest water, but were generally located in habitats commensurate with species‐specific behavioural needs within their thermal tolerance range. Such ranges largely occurred within refuge areas. Variable meteorological conditions confounded observable biological thermal benefit to fish resulting from higher or lower main‐stem flows. Thermal regime dynamics indicated that under the hydrological and meteorological conditions observed, higher flows from Iron Gate Dam showed some ability to change the structure of the refuge area. It appeared that without the thermal refuge, main‐stem flows alone could not sustain the salmonid population because high water temperatures usually exceeded their published thermal tolerance limits. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Applying instream flow incremental method for the spawning habitat protection of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

The Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, is an anadromous species that spawns in the Yangtze River and Pearl River of China. Its population has declined dramatically since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam (GD) in 1981 and then with the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) upstream of the GD in 2003. This paper presents a quantitative method based on the instream flow incremental method to explore the relationship between the fish spawning habitat and the operations of the GD and TGD, aiming to find a solution for conservation of the species. A two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model was built with the River2D to simulate the hydraulic behaviour of the stream below the GD. Habitat suitability index was determined by the biological data of the fish collected in the field. The two parts were then integrated through a geographical information system developed via ArcGIS to outline the fish habitat area variation with flows. The decision support system is applied to set up a habitat time series for validating the assumption that more habitats have the potential to support more fish. The fish habitat results for alternative instream flow schemes are then compared with one another for defining the optimal flow requirements and evaluating effects of reservoir operation alternatives in order to improve the operation management for the GD and TGD projects. The results show that the optimal flow for spawning of the fish is about 7000–13000 m³/s and the optimal inlets combination is where the inflow comes from two power plants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the impact and potential mitigation of cold water pollution on Murray cod populations downstream of Hume Dam,Australia

A one‐dimensional hydrodynamic reservoir model is coupled with a stochastic fish population model to examine the impacts of cold water pollution (CWP) on the Australian freshwater fish, Murray cod, downstream of Hume Dam, Australia. Mitigation of CWP through the introduction of selective withdrawal capabilities to access near‐surface water is predicted to increase discharge temperatures during the crucial spring‐early summer post‐spawning period by 4–6°C for normal operating conditions, that is, a full reservoir in early spring. No improvement in discharge temperature was predicted for drought conditions characterized by relatively low storage levels in early spring. The predicted temperature increase using selective withdrawal increased the predicted average minimum female population abundance by 30–300% depending on the assumed spawning behaviour. Increased discharge temperatures appear to be achievable and are expected to reduce the stress currently impacting Murray cod populations due to CWP during crucial post‐spawning periods. This provides evidence that mitigation of this problem may assist in rehabilitating Murray cod populations in the Murray River downstream of Hume Dam. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大型水利工程对长江中下游水沙变化特征的影响分析

三峡大坝蓄水运用以后,直接影响中下游的径流量和输沙量。根据1988-2012年宜昌站、大通站的水文数据,运用相关分析法和Mann-Kendall非参数检验法,对比分析长江流域宜昌站和大通站的径流量和输沙量特性及其在时间和空间上的变化规律。结果表明:宜昌站、大通站年际径流量由于三峡大坝的蓄水存在波动,但未出现明显的趋势性变化;而输沙量从20世纪80年代就开始减少,在2003年三峡大坝建成之后减少的趋势更为明显,三峡大坝对下游水文站点的水沙影响随着与三峡大坝距离的增加而减少,上游宜昌站的水沙变化较下游大通站更为显著。     

Validation of the model-predicted spawning area of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella in the Sandusky River

Spawning of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, in the Great Lakes basin was verified when eight fertilized eggs were collected in the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, in 2015. Using a fluvial drift model (FluEgg) and simulation modeling, researchers predicted the fertilization location for those eggs was 3.8 ± 1 km (95% credible interval, CI) downstream of Ballville Dam. In June 2018, simultaneous collection of fertilized eggs and adults within the model-predicted spawning area provided the opportunity to verify the fertilization location. We used estimated developmental time (Dt) of eggs calculated from developmental stages, water temperature, and an equation that predicts Dt from cumulative thermal units experienced by developing eggs, in two analyses. First, we regressed Dt versus location of capture and solved that equation for developmental time of 0 hrs (Dt₀) to estimate fertilization location. Second, we used Dt in the Fluvial Drift Simulator (FluEgg) to simulate 23 scenarios representative of drift conditions throughout the spawning event using the model-predicted spawning area and the site of Ballville Dam as potential spawning locations. Regression analysis placed the mean fertilization location 3.36 km (95% CI 2.27, 4.24) downstream of the site of Ballville Dam, within the model-predicted spawning area. Drift models demonstrated the model-predicted spawning area was best supported. Histograms of fertilization times overlapped with capture times by boat electrofishing of diploid adult grass carp in the model-predicted spawning area. This suite of analyses confirms the model-predicted spawning area and validates the methodology used to locate it.     

MAGNITUDE,FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF INSTREAM FLOWS TO STIMULATE AND FACILITATE CATADROMOUS FISH MIGRATIONS: AUSTRALIAN BASS (MACQUARIA NOVEMACULEATA PERCIFORMES,PERCICHTHYIDAE)

The migratory response and behaviour of catadromous Australian bass with regard to hourly mean river flows and water temperatures was assessed over 15 months. Fish movement was assessed using a 75‐km passive acoustic telemetry array in the regulated Shoalhaven River below Tallowa Dam, NSW, Australia. The majority (62%) of downstream pre‐spawning migrations from freshwater to estuarine habitats were stimulated by a series of flow pulses from April to September, but a proportion of fish (38%) commenced downstream migrations under regulated baseflow conditions after a sustained decrease in water temperature to below 15°C in late autumn. Equal numbers of fish undertook post‐spawning upstream return migrations during flow pulses and during regulated baseflow conditions, with regulated baseflow migrants exhibiting a preference for dusk–dawn passage through freshwater pool–riffle sequences. The median magnitude of flow pulses at the time of commencement of downstream and upstream freshwater migrations by Australian bass was not large, equivalent to natural (in the absence of river regulation) flows equalled or exceeded for 56% and 48% of time, respectively. There was no evidence for increased numbers of migrants with increasing flow pulse magnitude, with individual fish ignoring some flow pulses but responding to subsequent events. In regulated rivers, the release of more frequent flow pulses with peak magnitudes approximating the natural 50th flow duration percentile may be more effective in stimulating greater numbers of Australian bass to undertake pre‐spawning and post‐spawning migrations between freshwater and estuarine habitats than the release of a single, larger event. The propensity of Australian bass to also undertake spawning migrations under regulated baseflow conditions emphasizes the need for provision of baseflow regimes in regulated rivers that can facilitate migrations by large bodied fishes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SPAWNING OF THE ENDANGERED AUSTRALIAN LUNGFISH (NEOCERATODUS FORSTERI) IN A HEAVILY REGULATED RIVER: A PULSE FOR LIFE

The Australian lungfish is an endangered native species currently protected under various state, federal and international agreements. Scarce information on their early life history is available due to the absence of juveniles collected in the wild. This has led to concerns about the sustainability of the species and become a driver for the conservation effort for Australian lungfish. This study aimed to consolidate knowledge on the critical hydraulic habitat requirements of this species within a water resource management context. In this study, spawning of Australian lungfish was found to be a seasonal strategy that is highly reliant on a variable low‐flow regime within riverine habitat. Suitable conditions for spawning were characterized by small flow events in early‐to‐mid spring when water temperatures are between 18 and 28 °C, leading to oviposition on short dense macrophytes in shallow water. Importantly, many of the key environmental factors driving the ecological response are manageable through existing water resource infrastructure. Specifically, releases from water storages within the current distribution of Australian lungfish should mimic the natural inflow and temperature regime within the spawning period, and also provide suitable riverine habitat within projected full supply limits. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中华鲟自然繁殖的水文状况适合度研究

对三峡水库运行前（1983-2002年）后（2003-2005年）中华鲟产卵场产卵季节（10-11月）的水文状况进行了比较分析,并根据所建立的水文要素适合度模型,对三峡水库运行前（1983-1986,2002年）后（2003-2005年）8个年份产卵季节水文状况对于中华鲟产卵的适合度进行了分析。结果表明：2003年三峡水库蓄水以来中华鲟产卵场产卵季节的水文状况发生了显著变化,产卵季节平均水温上升了 1.48 ℃ （ 8.2% ）,含沙量降低了 0.36 kg/m3（ 91.8% ）。平均适合度模型的分析结果表明,虽然整个产卵季节水文状况对于产卵的综合适合度呈现出先上升后下降的趋势,但整个产卵季节水文状况的适合度都比较高,并且中华鲟的产卵活动并不总是发生在水文状况适合度最佳（即综合适合度波峰值）的时候,说明水文状况并不是决定自然繁殖发生时间的唯一因素。产卵前含沙量的变动趋势由水库运行前的稳中下降转变为运行后的稳中上升,说明含沙量的剧烈下降可能对中华鲟的自然繁殖活动不利。中华鲟自然繁殖发生时间应是多种因素综合作用的结果,除水文状况外,科研捕捞活动、年度之间自然繁殖群体的生物学差异等都可能对自然繁殖活动发生的具体时间产生影响。     

三峡水库蓄水前后气候变化分析

利用1962年~2017年三峡水库及其周边区域24个站点的气温和降水数据,结合Mann-Kendall非参数检验法和累积距平法分析三峡水库蓄水前后局地气候变化趋势与突变情况。结果表明,气温和降水均受影响,且影响程度具有明显的地理分布规律。蓄水对气温趋势具有稳定作用。蓄水后,气温增长幅度增大的站点主要分布在四川盆地,幅度减小的站点主要分布在秦岭-大巴山一带、三峡大坝下游区域及寸滩宜昌段右岸;秦岭-大巴山一带及四川盆地的降水量增加,寸滩宜昌段沿河及右岸区域的降水量减少。研究对进一步探明气候环境与大型水利工程蓄水的相互影响具有重要意义。     

三峡初期蓄水对典型鱼类栖息地适宜性的影响

三峡工程是长江中游干流最大的骨干工程，蓄水后下游水文情势发生明显改变。分析水库运行后下游水文情势的改变情况，将为了解大型水利工程对河流健康状况的影响程度和开展生态保护提供有意义的信息和帮助。本文选择宜昌站作为研究对象，并以中华鲟和四大家鱼为典型代表物种，研究三峡工程初期蓄水对下游生态系统的影响。结果表明，三峡工程蓄水运行后，(1) 坝下宜昌站生态水文条件发生明显变化，主要表现为多年平均水温上升，多年平均流量、水位和含沙量下降；(2) 非汛期的水温以及汛期的流量、水位和含沙量月径流过程明显改变；(3) 下游生态水文条件的改变，导致中华鲟鲟卵孵化适宜度和四大家鱼产卵适宜度明显降低；(4) 栖息地内生态水文条件的变化是影响中华鲟鲟卵孵化和四大家鱼产卵行为的关键因素，而不是影响中华鲟产卵和四大家鱼鱼卵孵化的关键因素。     

三峡大坝混凝土设计及温控防裂技术突破

介绍三峡工程大坝混凝土设计及温控防裂技术的创新方法:大坝混凝土设计从传统的混凝土强度设计转为将混凝土耐久性与强度设计并重,采取了提高大坝混凝土耐久性的措施;在大坝混凝土温度控制及防裂技术中,首次提出并应用"个性化"通水冷却方案,混凝土施工监控实施天气预警、温度控制预警及间歇期预警制度,以及细化的综合防裂措施,取得了显著成效。     

Effects of Water Level Fluctuations on Spawning Habitat of an Endangered Species,the Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus Forsteri)

The Australian lungfish Neoceratodus forsteri is an endangered native fish species currently protected under federal and international agreements. The impoundment of riverine habitats by water storages has substantially decreased the availability of dense beds of macrophyte (e.g. Vallisneria nana) in shallow water, the preferred spawning habitat of Australian lungfish. Storage management, such as storage drawdown and maintaining storages at specific levels, may impede establishment and development of dense macrophyte beds, although the effects of storage operation on macrophytes are poorly understood. Storage bathymetry and modelled stream data were used to examine the impact of water level changes (frequency and magnitude) on V. nana habitat within storages and associated riverine areas. Three storages located within the natural range of the Australian lungfish in the Burnett River (Ben Anderson Barrage, Ned Churchward Weir and Paradise Dam) were found to provide limited potential for V. nana habitat when at the full supply level. Furthermore, water storages within the distribution of Australian lungfish fluctuate by ±1 m more frequently in comparison to associated riverine environments. These frequent water level fluctuations challenge the establishment of dense macrophyte beds required for lungfish spawning. Since aquatic macrophytes and streamflow play an integral role in lungfish spawning, management of water storages should focus on releases to the downstream reaches. These releases should mimic natural flow and water temperature regimes to allow establishment and growth of V. nana beds in synchrony with the timing of Australian lungfish spawning. Riverine reaches downstream of storages have the greatest potential for restoration of macrophyte beds. © 2014 Queensland Government, Department of Natural Resources and Mines. River Research and Applications © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.