Turbulent flow field comparison and related suitability for fish passage of a standard and a simplified low‐gradient vertical slot fishway

Fishways are hydraulic structures that allow passage of fish across obstructions in rivers. Vertical slot fishways—VSFs—are considered the most efficient and least selective type of technical fishway solutions, especially due to their ability to remain effective even when significant upstream and/or downstream water level fluctuations occur. The scope of the present study is to perform numerical simulations in order to investigate and compare the hydraulic turbulent flow field in a standard and a simplified version of the most common VSF design. Implications in relation to fish swimming behaviour and fish passage performance are discussed. Different water depths (as well as discharges) were investigated, using a bed slope of 5%, as a reference for low‐gradient VSFs with a very limited selectivity that can be used in multispecies rivers in grayling‐barbel regions. Results show that maximum values of velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, and Reynolds stresses are higher in the standard design. However, corresponding to slot geometry and orientation, the direction of the main jet in the simplified design is more inclined towards the left side of the pool. This causes the eddy to split into 2 smaller ones; the minimum eddy dimension is reduced from 0.4–0.5 to 0.2–0.3 m. These dimensions are detrimental for fish passage efficiency, being more comparable with fish length (0.15–0.40 m), thus affecting migrating fish stability and orientation. Furthermore, the standard design provides a more straightforward upstream path and wider areas of low flow velocities and turbulence, useful for fish resting. Therefore, it is recommended that the standard design should be preferred over its simplified version, even if its construction costs are around 10–15% higher than the simplified one.     

仿自然通道及鱼道池室结构布置研究

为了提高仿自然通道及鱼道设计水平,以某水电站仿自然通道工程为案例,根据其过鱼需求,提出了池室结构布置方案,并通过数值模拟及物理模型试验对其平面及三维池室流态进行了分析。结果表明:通过在仿自然通道或鱼道内部采用收缩段、侧壁设置消能墩、底部辅以条形消能墩的新型结构可使池室内部流场实现纵向分层和横向分区,可供不同游泳能力的鱼类通过。该池室结构在流速流态控制等方面较普通仿自然通道和技术型鱼道均具有优势,适合多种鱼类通过,具有推广价值。     

Physical modelling of pool and weir fishways with rock weirs

The flow characteristics of pool and weir fishways with rock weirs were studied through physical modelling. Detailed flow measurements were obtained using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter to understand how weir geometry, discharge, and bed slope affect flow patterns, velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds shear stresses in the fishway. The weir geometries used in this study are similar to those typically used for river restoration projects. The use of a V‐shaped rock weir was found to reduce the mean streamwise velocity in the pools by about 20% but more than double the maximum velocity magnitude. Two stage–discharge relationships were developed using the standard weir equation and a modified discharge coefficient to account for both flow over the weir and orifice flow through the base of the weir. The use of V‐shaped rock weirs has the potential to offer significant advantages in assisting multispecies fish migration. The results of this study can be applied to the hydrotechnical design of pool and weir fishways with rock weirs and for river restoration projects.     

Numerical study of the effect of a V-shaped weir on turbulence characteristics and velocity in V-weir fishways

Fishways are used to allow fish to migrate around water infrastructure, whether movements are in the upstream or downstream direction. Hydrodynamic conditions within various fishways, including turbulence levels, are important for successful fish passage. A numerical hydrodynamic study was conducted for V-weir fishways, which assist species migrating upstream. The variables investigated included, fishway slopes of 4%, 7%, and 10%, relative spacing between weirs of 1.3, 2.6, and 4 (D/L, ratio of distance between weirs to pool width), and weir angles of 22.5°, 40°, and 60°. Turbulence characteristics, including turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), Reynolds shear stress (RSS), turbulent intensity (TI), turbulent dissipation (TD), as well as maximum water velocity, were examined by CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation using a re-normalized group or RNG turbulence model. The CFD was calibrated with flow measurements made in a physical model of the V-weir fishway in laboratory control experiments. Based on inferences from fish passage literature, the results showed that, in the range of parameters studied, a weir angle of 22.5^°, a slope of 10% and relative spacing between weirs of 1.3 and 2.6 were assessed as offering the best potential performance for several species and sizes of fish, while the latter has lower cost as it requires fewer weirs. The V-weir fishway may be adaptable for smaller fish.     

Movement of three non‐salmonid fish species through a low‐gradient vertical‐slot fishway

Well‐designed fishways have assisted in restoring migrations and rehabilitating riverine fish species in all continents. The performance of fishways varies greatly with their type, design and operating regime, and with the species involved. Vertical‐slot fishways are widely used to overcome low‐level barriers, especially for non‐salmonids. Important issues remain in the design of fishways to meet performance and cost criteria, including the relationship between fishway bed gradient and the fish that ascend, and whether resting pools are needed. Models of species' movement patterns can inform fishway designers about likely fish response to various design options, and can lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness. Models of general movement patterns of three potamodromous non‐salmonid fishes in the Murray River, Australia, were developed from empirical data in a low‐gradient vertical‐slot fishway. The models integrate data on times of entry and exit, ascent rates, and whether fish continued to ascend during the night. These fish species did not favour resting pools. Ascent rates of fish ≥120 mm were more closely related to fish behaviour than to length; for a given fishway height, reducing bed slope by increasing the number of pools may slow the ascent of such fish, whereas enlarging pool volumes increases costs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

组合隔板式鱼道水力特性数值模拟研究

鱼道是为鱼类提供洄游通道的一种重要的工程措施。基于Flow-3D采用标准RNG k-ε紊流模型和Tru-VOF追踪自由液面方法,对鱼道池室内流场进行三维紊流数值模拟,研究池室内水流流速、流态空间分布,分析鱼道的水力特性对目标鱼类洄游上溯的影响。结果表明:溢流堰与竖缝组合隔板式鱼道在设计流速v=0.75 m/s条件下,竖缝处平均流速为0.83 m/s,竖缝处流速分布范围为0.76~0.89 m/s;堰上流速为0.90~1.12 m/s,回流区流速分布范围为0.09~0.25 m/s,流速大小在鱼类的克流能力范围之内,但靠竖缝隔板处存在明显的主流贴壁现象。为此开展了池室优化方案设计,使鱼道池室流态满足鱼类上溯要求。     

环形波纹钢管涵洞式鱼道水力特性数值模拟

环形波纹钢管涵洞式鱼道内波纹的粗糙度可以使边界附近产生足够低的流速,鱼类可以由此游向上游。对3种流量0.05,0.07,0.09 m3/s,3种埋深0D,0.1D,0.2D,坡度0.4%工况下,环形波纹钢管涵洞式鱼道内水面线、流速场和紊流场分布分别进行了数值模拟研究。结果表明环形波纹钢管涵洞中,高流速区（无量纲流速大于0.9）位于涵洞过水断面中心区域,高紊流区（紊流强度大于0.2）位于水面中心附近。在涵洞底部边壁附近较大区域内,由于流速较小,紊流强度也较低（紊流强度小于0.1）,鱼类可以由此顺利完成上溯。相比无埋深式涵洞,嵌入式涵洞内平均流速较小,紊流强度变化较为平缓,更有利于鱼类的洄游。     

USING AN EXPERIMENTAL IN SITU FISHWAY TO PROVIDE KEY DESIGN CRITERIA FOR LATERAL FISH PASSAGE IN TROPICAL RIVERS: A CASE STUDY FROM THE MEKONG RIVER,CENTRAL LAO PDR

Fish passage through an experimental vertical‐slot fishway was assessed at a floodplain regulator on the Mekong River in Central Laos between April and July 2009. Experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of fishway floor slope (1v:15h or 1v:7.5h) on fish passage success with a view to developing a series of optimal design criteria for the construction of vertical‐slot fishways at other barriers to fish passage in the Lower Mekong Basin. A total of 14 661 fish from 73 species were captured during the experiments. Catches were dominated by riverine (white) (n = 51; 69% of total) and floodplain (black) species (n = 15; 20%) which represented 19 families in total. The work demonstrated that fish were actively attempting upstream passage from the Mekong River to an adjacent floodplain and displayed strong migratory behaviour during river level rises. Migratory activity was greatest during sharp rises in water level but reduced substantially when river level fell. Fish community composition varied greatly among the two fishway floor slopes and the control group. More fish species were collected from control samples, but the most fish and species were collected when the fishway was configured on a moderate hydraulic slope (1v:15h). A range of size classes were also collected from control and moderate‐slope groups, but steeper‐gradient catches were dominated by larger fish. This study demonstrated that vertical‐slot fishways could provide passage for a biodiverse fish community where fish move laterally onto floodplains. The construction of fishways which consider the local fish ecology and hydrology may therefore represent a valuable management tool to help restore important movement pathways for tropical freshwater fish. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydraulic and turbulence structure of triangular labyrinth weir‐pool fishways

Detailed laboratory experiments were conducted to analyze and evaluate a new weir‐pool fishway design. The new design consisted of a series of one‐cycle, triangular labyrinth weirs that formed a weir‐pool fish passage. Hydraulic characteristics of flow over the proposed fishway were examined for three pool lengths and a wide range of discharges. It was found that the new design had superior discharge capacity over classical weir‐pool fishways in plunging flow regime. Spatial and point analyses of measured velocity data were carried out to understand turbulence structure and distribution of turbulent flow. The power dissipation per unit volume was calculated for different tests, and it varied nonlinearly with discharge. Based on the limiting criteria for energy dissipation rates of different fish species, the maximum operating discharge for different slopes was extracted for the proposed design. The model‐to‐prototype scaling analysis was performed based on the recommended scaling factor of three for prototype. It was found that the approach velocity of prototype increased by 12%, whereas the total discharge increased by more than five times. The contour plots of time‐averaged velocity indicated that the proposed fishways offered diversified flow fields without exceeding the maximum velocity above the standards recommended for weir‐pool fishways. To study the size, direction, and periodicity of turbulent eddies, magnitude of the most energetic eddy and dominant frequencies were extracted using power spectrum analysis. Quadrant analysis consistently showed that Reynolds shear stresses in ejection and sweep events became weaker as the pool length increased. The small region of strong ejection and sweep events evidenced a good resting place for fish migration, whereas the generated turbulence was large enough to attract fish species to use the passage.     

竖缝式鱼道水力特性与鱼类运动特性相关性分析

竖缝式鱼道(Vertical Slot Fishway,VSF)作为一种协助上溯性鱼类恢复其洄游通道的生态补偿措施,受到广泛关注。其过鱼效果与VSF的水力特性和鱼类的游泳运动能力密切相关。因而,良好的VSF设计应保证池室内的水力特性与过鱼对象的游泳运动能力相适宜。本文选取上溯性鱼类鳙鱼和草鱼为研究对象,将VSF池室内水力因子空间分布与鱼类运动轨迹相叠加,定量分析了鳙鱼和草鱼在上溯过程中的运动特性、水力偏好以及鱼类运动轨迹与特定水力因子的相关程度。试验结果表明:在流量为0.135 m3/s的VSF池室内,两种鱼喜好在紊动能为0.02~0.035 m2/s2、流速为0.16~0.4 m/s、紊动耗散率为0.02~0.04 m2/s3、应变率为2~3.5 s-1的范围内运动。鳙鱼和草鱼在不同水力区域内的上溯时间与紊动能、流速相关性较大;水流流速矢量体现鱼的趋流特性,决定了鱼的上溯方向,而对于局部空间内鱼的游泳运动行为,紊动能可能是影响更直接的水力因子。     

Design of a bilateral-symmetric multi-slot fishway and its comparison with vertical slot fishway in terms of hydraulic properties

Aiming at improving the hydraulic properties and enhancing the fish passage efficiency, this study proposes a novel bilateral-symmetric multi-slot fishway (BMSF) by combining the structural features of a double-sided vertical-slot fishway, multi-slot fishway and T-shape fishway. Eight BMSF cases are further designed by adjusting the slot width and the distance between the short baffle and the front end of the central wall, in order to achieve the relatively best hydrodynamic characteristics. The flow fields of two vertical-slot fishways and eight BMSF fishways are obtained by numerically solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation, the volume-of-fluid equation and the k-ω-SST turbulence model. Numerical results manifest that the recommended BMSF-8 provides the smallest values in terms of the maximum time-averaged velocity magnitude (1.42 m s⁻¹), the maximum time-averaged turbulent kinetic energy (0.132 m² s⁻²), the maximum time-averaged Reynolds shear stress component (44 Pa), the spatial-mean time-averaged velocity magnitude (0.58 m s⁻¹), and the spatial-mean time-averaged turbulent kinetic energy (0.042 m² s⁻²) in the middle pool at Q = 1000 L/s. Even for the depth-mean time-averaged velocity magnitude at the slot and the volume percentages of some critical physical quantities, BMSF-8 is also superior to the other cases. To sum up, BMSF-8 leads to the relatively lowest flow velocity and turbulence, being more suitable for the passage of the whole fish community (especially for small-sized fishes with weaker swimming ability). In addition, the generalizability of the aforementioned superiority of BMSF-8 is displayed by providing the numerical results of four operating conditions (i.e., Q = 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 L/s).     

The influence of discharge and temperature on the ability of upstream migrant adult river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) to pass experimental overshot and undershot weirs

The efficiencies of fish passes specifically designed and constructed to facilitate the movement of a limited number of species and life‐stages past structural barriers are likely to decline as site‐specific conditions shift with a changing climate. There is a need to develop realistic fish passage criteria based on understanding swimming capability and behaviour of multiple species in relation to temperature and flow. The influence of temperature and discharge on behaviour and ability of groups of migrating adult river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), a threatened species, to pass a small overshot or undershot weir at night was investigated using a large experimental flume. Lamprey approached the weirs less, and more often maintained station by using the oral disk to attach to structure, under high flows. Oral disk attachment was more commonly observed during tests employing the undershot weir. Upstream movement tended to be in close proximity to the channel walls and floor where, compared to the mid‐channel, velocities were generally lower and velocity vectors more likely to be in a direction other than the bulk flow. Upstream movement was positively related to temperature, and was higher for the overshot weir. Weir passage rate was higher for undershot than overshot weirs, and negatively related to the maximum velocity at the weir. Passage rate was low when maximum velocities at the weir exceeded 1.5 m s^?1, although some fish passed at c. 1.7 m s^?1. Passage efficiency, the number of weir passes as a percentage of the number of approaches, was also higher for the undershot weir, but was not affected by discharge because lamprey approached less frequently at high flows. This study provides fish passage criteria under realistic conditions for an infrequently studied anguilliform species of conservation concern and provides a methodological perspective by which to improve fishway suitability for a wider range of species subject to changing climate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This article was published online on March 3, 2010. An error was subsequently identified in the Article title. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected [April 12, 2010].     

Swimming behaviour and ascent paths of brook trout in a corrugated culvert

Culverts may restrict fish movements under some hydraulic conditions such as shallow flow depths or high velocities. Although swimming capacity imposes limits to passage performance, behaviour also plays an important role in the ability of fish to overcome velocity barriers. Corrugated metal culverts are characterized by unsteady flow and existence of low‐velocity zones, which can improve passage success. Here, we describe swimming behaviour and ascent paths of 148 wild brook trout in a 1.5‐m section of a corrugated metal culvert located in Raquette Stream, Québec, Canada. Five passage trials were conducted in mid‐August, corresponding to specific mean cross‐sectional flow velocities ranging from 0.30 to 0.63 m/s. Fish were individually introduced to the culvert and their movements recorded with a camera located above the water. Lateral and longitudinal positions were recorded at a rate of 3 Hz in order to identify ascent paths. These positions were related to the distribution of flow depths and velocities in the culvert. Brook trout selected flow velocities from 0.2 to 0.5 m/s during their ascents, which corresponded to the available flow velocities in the culvert at the low‐flow conditions. This however resulted in the use of low‐velocity zones at higher flows, mainly located along the walls of the culvert. Some fish also used the corrugations for sheltering, although the behaviour was marginal and did not occur at the highest flow condition. This study improves knowledge on fish behaviour during culvert ascents, which is an important aspect for developing reliable and accurate estimates of fish passage ability.     

异齿裂腹鱼通过鱼道内流速障碍能力及行为

鱼类通过流速障碍能力是鱼道设计的主要生态指标,目前国内外主要使用封闭游泳水槽进行鱼类各种游泳速度指标及游泳行为研究,其水流流态及鱼类游泳行为与鱼类通过鱼道的实际状态有较大的差距,有必要结合鱼类游泳速度指标来探索能够更加准确量化鱼类通过鱼道流场的游泳能力测试方法。首先,在封闭游泳水槽中通过速度递增法测得异齿裂腹鱼临界游泳速度(101.01±20.86 cm/s)和突进游泳速度(196.94±21.80 cm/s);然后,以临界游泳速度和藏木水电站鱼道竖缝流速(110.00 cm/s)为参考,通过在开放游泳水槽内加不同束窄梯形体,形成类竖缝式鱼道的鱼类自主游泳能力测试水槽,开展两种底坡条件下4级短竖缝(工况1和工况2竖缝流速为101.55±14.87 cm/s、114.63±24.28 cm/s,竖缝顺水流长度均为40 cm)和单级长竖缝(工况3竖缝流速为137.45±17.63 cm/s、竖缝顺水流长度为160 cm)下试验鱼通过流速障碍能力和行为研究。试验结果表明:工况1、工况2下试验鱼通过4级竖缝成功率分别为82.05%、84.62%,通过流速大于临界游泳速度的竖缝时,持续爆发游泳时间为0.52±0.34 s;工况3下93.33%试验鱼以209.43±21.76 cm/s游泳速度成功通过单级长竖缝;3种工况下试验鱼通过流速大于临界游泳速度的竖缝时,以与突进游泳速度无显著性差异(P0.05)的恒定游泳速度(214.01±30.64 cm/s)上溯。鱼类游泳轨迹与流场耦合分析表明:鱼类上溯所需时间及路径长度与其选择的游泳路径密切相关,试验鱼通过借助回流区同向水流推动,增加上溯效率。本文研究方法及研究结论可为鱼道设计、改造、评价提供依据。     

鱼道水力特性研究进展

综述竖缝式、池堰式和涵洞式、丹尼尔式及组合式鱼道水力特性的国内外研究进展;对比分析水流流态、流速场特征、流量与水深的关系、紊流特性及消能率等几方面对不同鱼道的水力特性的影响;得出了竖缝式鱼道中无量纲流量与相对水深之间呈线性关系的结论,列出了池堰式鱼道中流量与水深的关系式;指出鱼道中紊流的紊动能、紊流强度及紊流结构均会对鱼道水力特性、鱼类对栖息地的选择以及鱼类通行造成较大影响;展望鱼道未来研究重心会逐渐集中于鱼道内紊流特性及其数值模拟的研究,尤其是紊流结构的研究。此外,不同结构形式鱼道内水力条件对鱼类通行的影响及改善措施亦将成为未来研究热点之一。     

MULTISPECIES FISH PASSAGE BEHAVIOUR IN A VERTICAL SLOT FISHWAY ON THE RICHELIEU RIVER,QUEBEC, CANADA

A shift from target species to ecosystem restoration has generated interest in developing fishways that are capable of passing entire fish communities. Although a number of multispecies fishways now exist in North America, evaluations of these fishways are lacking. We used a passive integrated transponder antenna array to quantify passage success and passage duration of fish using a vertical slot fishway (85 m in length, 2.65 m elevation rise, 12 regular pools and 2 turning basins) at a low head dam on the Richelieu River in Quebec, Canada. Fourteen of the 18 tagged species re‐ascended the fishway, and passage efficiency was highly variable among species (range 25%–100%); however, it was >50% for five of the species well represented in this study (n > 10) (Atlantic salmon, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye and white sucker). Passage duration was likewise highly variable both among and within species (e.g. 1.0–452.9 h for smallmouth bass, 2.4–237.5 h for shorthead redhorse). Although this fishway design was not uniformly successful in passing fish of all species, this study does reveal the species that have problems with ascent and provides an estimate on the time spent in the fishway that is an important component of passage delay. Such information could be used to inform future design refinements to facilitate passage of the entire assemblage with minimal delay. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal approach for upstream fish passage design: One-size-fits-all or made-to-order?

Nearly 60,000 large dams (higher than 15 m) occur worldwide in addition to an estimated 16 million smaller impoundments with individual surface areas larger than 100 m². The resulting habitat fragmentation threatens global riverine biodiversity and sustainable fish populations. Two opposing approaches for selecting fish passage designs to mitigate river fragmentation are possible: develop a limited number of standardized (reference) designs from which a design for a candidate dam is selected (one-size-fits-all approach) versus conduct scientific fish passage studies specific to each dam and targeted fish species (made-to-order approach). The two approaches vary in probability of effectiveness, cost of supporting biological studies, and overall project cost and schedule impact. To address this conundrum, we analyzed 73 USA dams to identify two groups that differed markedly in fish passage planning approaches. Snake River dams are similar in design, flow, geological setting, and target fish species. By contrast, Mississippi River dams are relatively dissimilar in design, flow, and geological setting but generally similar in target fish species. We conclude that the more similar a candidate dam for fish passage is to a reference set of similar dams (i.e., the Snake River dams), then the more likely fish passage technology can be successfully extrapolated to a proposed dam in the same or a nearby watershed. As a general strategy, we recommend that dams in a region be clustered using key hydrologic, structural, operational, and biological variables. These variables can be used to assign a new dam or retrofit an existing dam to a cluster to which they are most similar, thereby optimally extending existing knowledge to new applications. In the process, reliance on the less efficient and more expensive made-to-order approach can be reduced.     

Not just a migration problem: Metapopulations,habitat shifts,and gene flow are also important for fishway science and management

Worldwide, fishways are increasingly criticized for failing to meet conservation goals. We argue that this is largely due to the dominance of diadromous species of the Northern Hemisphere (e.g., Salmonidae) in the research that underpins the concepts and methods of fishway science and management. With highly diverse life histories, swimming abilities and spatial ecologies, most freshwater fish species do not conform to the stereotype imposed by this framework. This is leading to a global proliferation of fishways that are often unsuitable for native species. The vast majority of fish populations do not undertake extensive migrations between clearly separated critical habitats, yet the movement of individuals and the genetic information they carry is critically important for population viability. We briefly review some of the latest advances in spatial ecological modelling for dendritic networks to better define what it means to achieve effective fish passage at a barrier. Through a combination of critical habitat assessment and the modelling of metapopulations, climate change‐driven habitat shifts, and adaptive gene flow, we recommend a conceptual and methodological framework for fishway target‐setting and monitoring suitable for a wide range of species. In the process, we raise a number of issues that should contribute to the ongoing debate about fish passage research and the design and monitoring of fishways.     

To swim or to jump? Passage behaviour of a potamodromous cyprinid over an experimental broad‐crested weir

Physical stressors, such as man‐made obstacles, are considered one of the main causes that negatively affect freshwater fish. Even small weirs may impact fish populations, including potamodromous cyprinids, by partially or totally blocking upstream migratory movements. Some studies have addressed the effect of key hydraulic parameters on upstream movements past small weirs, but little is known on how these parameters interact to induce swimming or jumping behaviour in negotiating such obstacles. This study aims to evaluate the passage behaviour (swimming vs. jumping) of Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei), a potamodromous species, over an experimental small broad‐crested weir, considering the effect of different plunge pool depths (D), waterfall heights (H), and weir discharges (Q). Results revealed that passage behaviour was highly dependent on combinations of plunge pool depths and waterfall heights. Barbel navigated most configurations by swimming (overall outcomes: 81.5% swimming vs. 18.5% jumping), except the ones with the higher waterfall heights (25 cm) tested. Therefore, higher waterfalls proved to be preponderant in the switching of passage behaviour from swimming to jumping. Regarding the discharge over the 1‐m‐wide weir (overall outcomes: 85% swimming vs. 15% jumping), contrary to what was expected, there was no evidence that passage behaviour was discharge‐related, for the range of discharges tested (25–100 L/s). These results are useful to identify potential migration obstacles and should be taken into consideration in river restoration projects and when designing fishways for potamodromous cyprinids.