INFLUENCE OF HYDROPEAKING ON INVERTEBRATES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH FISH FEEDING HABITS IN A PYRENEAN RIVER

The Orlu hydroelectric power plant on the River Oriège is managed by ‘hydropeaking’ and generates significant and frequent daily fluctuations in flow downstream. Observations at this site aimed to determine the impact of these variations on the aquatic environment. Surveys were carried out in June and October, upstream and about 2 km downstream of the plant, with a view to studying fish feeding habits and nutritive resources. In June, when the natural river flow was high, invertebrate populations differed very little between the two sectors. In October, after the low-water period, density and biomass were significantly lower in the downstream sector than they were upstream. Invertebrate drift was studied by taking samples every hour over a 24-hour cycle. Upstream, this drift showed a clear daily rhythm, dominated by nocturnal drift. Downstream in June, invertebrate drift was more abundant than upstream; a similar nychthemeral rhythm was apparent, but there were significant peaks during hydropeaking. In October, this daily rhythm disappeared, and drift was extremely low when river flow was low; on the other hand, a marked increase was observed during hydropeaking. Fish feeding habits were studied parallel to drift by capturing about 20 fish every four hours and analysing their stomach contents. No clear rhythm in the daily food uptake was observed. Stomach content was more abundant downstream. Lastly, the number of prey captured by fish at a given period of the day did not appear to be linked with the effective quantity of invertebrates simultaneously available in the river.     

Past hydraulics influence microhabitat selection by invertebrates and fish in hydropeaking rivers

Hydropeaking hydropower plants are the main source of renewable energy, meeting sub-daily peaks in electricity demand. They induce rapid artificial flow variations, highly variable velocities, drift, and stranding risks for aquatic organisms. In hydropeaking reaches, microhabitat selection likely depends on both present and past hydraulics (flow velocity and water depth); this study aims to assess their relative impact. For this purpose, we used observations of fish abundance in 1,180 microhabitats (507 sampled by electrofishing, 673 by snorkeling) and of invertebrate abundance in 36 microhabitats (hyporheic and benthic) in a medium-sized hydropeaking river. We described past hydraulics of microhabitats over the 15 days preceding sampling, using a 2D hydrodynamic model, by identifying microhabitats dewatering (drying during >10 hr) or with high-velocity conditions (>1.3 m s⁻¹ during >10 hr). Invertebrates guilds (defined based on their selection of present hydraulics in rivers without hydropeaking) responded significantly to past hydraulics, with abundances 3.5–15.3 times lower in dewatering habitats. Selection for present hydraulics by invertebrates was different from that observed in rivers without hydropeaking. For more mobile fish, responses were weaker and different, with a “bank” guild selecting dewatering microhabitats and, secondarily, a “midstream” guild avoiding them. Selection of present hydraulics by fish was similar to that observed in rivers without hydropeaking. Overall, past hydraulics influenced microhabitat selection, with stronger effects on invertebrates and stronger effects of dewatering than of high past velocities. However, high past velocities force fish to move and invertebrates to experience a large range of velocity.     

Effects of flow regulation and sediment flushing on instream habitat and benthic invertebrates in a New Zealand river influenced by a volcanic eruption

I sampled five sites above and below a dam in the central North Island of New Zealand on five to six occasions to examine the effects on benthic substrates, periphyton and invertebrate communities of (i) degree of flow regulation and (ii) flushing of sediment stored behind a dam. A series of volcanic eruptions during the course of this study provided the opportunity to investigate the effects of a period of high sediment delivery on this regulated river. The operation of the dam prior to sluicing of stored sediment appeared to have little impact on substrate size distribution or fine suspendable sediment levels. Periphyton biomass was markedly higher below than above the dam when sampling was preceded by a period of stable baseflow, but over all sampling dates biomass and inorganic content of periphyton did not appear to be related to degree of flow regulation. The taxonomic richness, biomass and density of invertebrate communities were lowest directly below, rather than above, the dam on most dates, and the site below the dam differed significantly from some of the downstream sites. However, changes in invertebrate abundance and diversity generally did not follow the expected gradient of flow regulation impacts except for the mayfly Deleatidium. Multiple regression analyses implicated substrate size and the biomass and inorganic content of periphyton as significant predictor variables for invertebrate density, biomass and taxonomic richness on sampling dates not influenced by recent sediment flushes, whereas degree of flow regulation was a significant predictor for densities of the dominant chironomid Cricotopus. The volcanic eruption led to deposition of fine silt that had passed through the dam with the residual flow and coarser sediments released during subsequent dam flushes. Flushing of stored sediment during large floods increased levels of sand and gravel directly below the dam and upstream of a large island in the middle reaches of the river, and also appeared to increase scouring of periphyton and associated invertebrates downstream. Overall, invertebrate communities in the study reach appeared to be structured more by periphyton accrual patterns, changes in substrate composition, the occurrence of large floods and natural longitudinal gradients than degree of flow regulation. These findings suggest that site‐specific and large‐scale factors can obscure generalized reach‐scale patterns expected along regulated rivers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A physical habitat model for predicting the effects of flow fluctuations in nursery habitats of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)

Larval and juvenile Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) use shallow, low‐velocity, channel‐margin areas (backwaters) as nursery habitats. It is hypothesized that within‐day flow fluctuations caused by hydropower operations can directly affect the suitability of such habitats by altering water temperature and habitat geometry. Despite the importance of backwaters to juvenile fishes, there is a lack of established approaches for modelling how river management affects these habitats. Here, we describe a physical habitat model that predicts the effects of mainstem flow variation on backwater temperature, geometry and invertebrate availability. We specifically modelled these effects on habitat in a portion of the Green River in Utah below Flaming Gorge Dam. The overall model combines a cell‐based model of backwater geometry, a pond‐based temperature model and a model of invertebrate production. Results from a series of simulations suggest that the most important biological effects of within‐day flow fluctuations are likely to be those associated with the availability of invertebrate prey including (1) minimum wetted area, (2) the proportion of the backwater's volume exchanged with the mainstem, and, to a lesser degree, (3) backwater temperature. Taken together, such effects could have important implications for the growth and survival of juvenile fish when flow fluctuations are sufficiently large. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of stream regulation on the physico-chemical properties of the palmiet river,South Africa

The effect of regulation, by multiple impoundment, on ‘discontinuity’ (recovery) ‘distances’ (sensu Ward and Stanford, 1983) for various physico-chemical attributes of the Palmiet River (a short, steep gradient, cool temperate, acid, low-nutrient system) was investigated. Physico-chemical features were measured monthly, from February 1986 to August 1987, at 11 sites along the river, but concentrating on two zones: one below an upper-reach impoundment, Nuweberg Dam, and one below a middle-reach impoundment, Arieskraal Dam. Median total suspended solids, nitrates, nitrites and ammonium all increased below both dams with varying levels of ‘recovery’. Median spot temperatures, pH and alkalinity increased below Nuweberg, but decreased below Arieskraal Dam, whereas the converse was true for soluble reactive phosphate. Nuweberg had no effect on conductivity and total dissolved solids, while Arieskraal caused a slight decrease. The river remained well oxygenated down its length. Distinct seasonal variations were recorded for: flow rate, with flow reversal below Nuweberg and flow constancy below Arieskraal; temperature, with seasonal shifts and dampening of annual temperature range below both dams; alkalinity, with seasonal shifts below Arieskraal, and nitrites and nitrates, but not for any other attributes. At least partial recovery was noted in all cases, but in some instances, recovery was incomplete to the estuary. The implications of such alterations, for invertebrates, in terms of reduction in habitat diversity as well as for food supply must be considerable and studies are currently under way to determine community structure and diversity.     

PERSISTING EFFECTS OF RIVER REGULATION ON EMERGENT AQUATIC INSECTS AND TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES IN UPLAND FORESTS

River regulation can alter the structural complexity and natural dynamics of river ecosystems substantially with negative consequences for aquatic insects. However, there have been few studies of regulation effects on the export of emergent insects into terrestrial ecosystems. In northern Scandinavia, we compared emerged aquatic insect and terrestrial invertebrate biomass between four strongly regulated and four free‐flowing rivers using fortnightly measurements at three upland‐forest blocks in each over one summer. The biomass of emerged aquatic insects was significantly lower along regulated rivers than free‐flowing rivers. Biomass in Linyphiidae, Opiliones, Staphylinidae, total Coleoptera, Formicidae and total terrestrial invertebrates was also lower along regulated rivers. Aquatic insect biomass did not explain the entire regulation effect on terrestrial invertebrates but did explain significant variations among Linyphiidae, total Coleoptera, Formicidae and total terrestrial biomass. Variations in Formicidae also explained significant variance among several terrestrial taxa, suggesting some keystone role in this group. Overall, our results suggest that river regulation affects upland‐forest invertebrate communities, with at least some of these effects arising from links between aquatic emergence and terrestrial predators. The data highlight the need to consider areas beyond the riparian zone when assessing the effects of river regulation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecological effects of groundwater pumping and a natural drought on the upper reaches of a chalk stream

The ecological effects are examined of a three-month test of a groundwater pumping scheme, which augmented flow in a chalk stream in autumn 1975. The impact on the macrophytes and invertebrates in the upper perennial stream which received pumped water were found to be minimal. After pumping ceased, a dry winter and spring led on to a major drought in summer 1976. This prompted operational use of the groundwater pumping scheme in late summer 1976 prior to heavy winter rains which resulted in a return to the normal pattern of discharge in 1977. The ecological effects of the drought, the operational pumping and its aftermath are assessed on three channel reaches: the intermittent zone of the stream, which remained dry throughout 1976; the upper perennial channel where changes in flow regime were most severe; and the lower perennial section of the stream. Drying of the intermittent section for over one year had more severe effects on the invertebrates and fish populations than on the macrophytes, which recovered rapidly after the return of flow. In the upper perennial section, the drought led to siltation of the river-bed, loss of macrophytes and limited habitat diversity for the invertebrate fauna. Further downstream, effects were still detectable, though less severe. Operational pumping brought immediate benefit to the perennial stream by increasing the river width, removing silt and encouraging growth of macrophytes, which provided habitat and food resources for invertebrates. However, in the upper perennial reach, where siltation and loss of macrophytes had been severe, regrowth of macrophytes was slow and the effects of the drought on both macrophytes and invertebrates were still apparent in autumn 1977. It is proposed that a pumping policy that maintains river flow above the level at which siltation and subsequent loss of macrophytes occurs could minimize undesirable ecological effects of extreme low flows.     

Invertebrate drift patterns in a regulated river: dams,periphyton biomass or longitudinal patterns?

Macroinvertebrate drift was sampled at 15 sites along the Tongariro River, New Zealand above and below two hydroelectric dams. Sixty‐seven invertebrate taxa were collected in the drift. Trichoptera (31) were the most diverse, followed by Diptera (13), Ephemeroptera (8) and Plecoptera (8). However, chironomidae were the numerically dominant taxa in the drift throughout the river and represented over 80% of all animals collected. Of these, Orthocladiinae and Diamesinae were the most abundant. Taxonomic richness declined with distance downstream and peaked at sites with intermediate levels of periphyton biomass. The per cent of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) was 3–4 times higher in the unregulated section of the river and declined exponentially with both distance downstream and increase in periphyton biomass, but densities were similar along the river. Of the measured environmental variables periphyton biomass was most closely linked with drift community structure. Periphyton biomass was six times higher in the lower section of the river than the upper unregulated section. The autocorrelation between periphyton biomass and distance downstream complicates the interpretation of results. However, because of the distinct differences between above and below dam sections of river in periphyton biomass and the strong link between it and invertebrate drift we suggest that the alteration of flow patterns by the hydroelectric dams and the associated shift in periphyton biomass is the most likely explanation for invertebrate drift patterns in the river. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Compensation flows in the UK: A hydrological review

A survey of United Kingdom reservoirs identified the development of compensation flow policy from the early 19th Century to the present day. Details on the level and pattern of releases below 261 impounding reservoirs provided the basis for assessing the spatial and temporal variation in compensation flows and the impact of impoundment on downstream flow regimes. By standardizing compensation releases by the natural pre-impoundment mean discharge, release patterns from reservoirs with a wide range of both catchment area and climate could be compared. Analysis of the change in flood and low flow frequency following impoundment enabled the impact of reservoir regulation to be evaluated at the regional scale. For individual reservoirs the natural downstream increase in river flow provides a basis for determining the length of river reach which is sensitive to regime changes. The majority of present day compensation discharges were set to satisfy river interests which no longer apply or were based on inadequate hydrological or biological information. This has led to a wide range of release patterns and it is therefore recommended that the re-evaluation of existing water resource schemes should include an assessment of the suitability of current release patterns for present day downstream demands and water resource requirements.     

Effects of hydropeaking on benthic invertebrate community composition in two central Norwegian rivers

Hydropower regulations can have dramatic impacts on river ecological communities. The operation of hydropower stations is related to power demands, but their releases in the receiving water body causes sudden changes in flow, which in turn affect the biota. The effects of such flow variations on benthic invertebrates is not fully understood. Here, we studied the effects of duration and intensity of hydropeaking on benthic invertebrates in two rivers over a 3.5‐year period. We used both quantitative (Surber) and semiquantitative (kick samples) sampling methods to compare the ramping zone with the permanently water covered zone downstream of the hydropower plant, and with corresponding unaffected upstream areas. The ramping zone had a different invertebrate community composition and lower benthic density than other areas, especially after hydropeaking. Mayflies and chironomids were most negatively affected by hydropeaking and oligochaetes largely unaffected. Chironomids and the mayfly Baetis rhodani were able to recolonize the ramping zone and almost reach densities similar to deeper areas within 48 days following hydropeaking. The relative abundance of filter feeders tended to increase and gatherers/collectors tended to decrease from the ramping zone towards the deep, permanently water covered areas. In corresponding areas upstream of the power plant, the relative abundance of different functional feeding groups was the same in the mid‐channel and shore sites. Our study shows that hydropeaking has clear impacts on the functional structure of benthic invertebrates below the power plants. The ecological impact of hydropeaking on invertebrate communities should thus be taken into account, for example, by reducing the amplitude and duration of flow fluctuations.     

A simple method for sampling invertebrate drift in large rivers and boulder‐bed streams

Sampling invertebrate drift in high‐gradient boulder‐bed channels or large turbulent rivers is challenging, because the traditional approach of driving stakes into the stream bed to secure drift nets may not work. We describe a simple method using a split wading rod to collect drift samples from the wadeable river margin or bank as an alternative method for rapid assessment of invertebrate drift when boat access is not possible. Pilot sampling in a large river shows that near‐shore drift samples collected with this approach are broadly similar to samples collected from the centre of the channel using more conventional methods, although our results suggest that depth and velocity effects may cause drift concentrations to be elevated closer to the bank.     

Modification of temperature behaviour through regulation of a British river system

The effects of flow regulation on temperature behaviour in the River Exe, Devon, U.K. have been studied, and attention is given to the local impact of impoundment and its downstream persistence. Temperature levels and seasonal thermal regime are considered as well as diel temperature fluctuations and temperatures during extreme weather conditions. Variations in temperature during individual reservoir releases have also been monitored. The impact of impoundment has been to make the stream environment immediately below the dam more homothermous so that temperatures rearely rise above 17·5°C or fall below 2·0°C, and monthyl average diel ranges are < 3 and < 1°C in summer and winter months respectively. In contrast to other reservoirs in Britain and abroad, this effect has been largely caused by increased groundwater flow downstream from the reservoir following impoundment. Regulation has also affected downstream temperature behaviour and has moderated the thermal regime of the Exe mainstream. This influence is generally restricted to a distance of up to 20 km from the dam, but in conditions of hot weather and low flows it may extend to almost 40 km from the impoundment.     

Effects of Three Consecutive Rotenone Treatments on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Fauna of the River Ogna,Central Norway

The effects of piscicides on aquatic invertebrates are often studied after one treatment, even though piscicides may be repeatedly applied within river management. Here we investigate the impacts of repeated piscidie treatment on riverine benthic invertebrates. The River Ogna, Norway, was treated with rotenone three times over a 16‐month period. The two first treatments caused temporary density reduction of a few rotenone sensitive benthic invertebrate taxa. Effects of the third treatment were variable with some taxa unaffected while all Plecoptera, were locally extinct. The toxic effect of rotenone increases with water temperature and high water temperature (20 °C) combined with high rotenone concentration was probably the main reason why the benthic community in the third treatment was more negatively affected than during the two previous treatments (4 and 8 °C). Eight months after the treatment benthic densities had not reached pre‐treatment levels, but most taxa had recolonized the treated area within a year. Our data suggest that the severe effects of the third treatment were not influenced by the two former ones. This implies that the timing of piscicide treatment has a greater impact on the benthic invertebrate community than the number of treatments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of an upland impoundment on structural and functional properties of a small stream in a basaltic plateau (golan heights,Israel)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of an upland storage reservoir, typical of the series of reservoirs in the Golan Heights basaltic plateau, on structural and functional properties of the downstream ecosystem, in the vicinity of the reservoir, shortly after damming. The effect of impoundment on water quality conditions may be divided into winter-spring, and summer periods. In the former, the impoundment seems to lengthen the period of flow of runoff quality water. This is evident by the elevated winter and spring turbidities and the higher concentrations of suspended solids below the reservoir. In summer, water quality below the reservoir is controlled by the consequences of stratification in the reservoir. The hypolimnial release results in depression of the maximal temperature and narrowing of the daily and seasonal temperature variations. It supplies water enriched in nutrients and low in oxygen, suspended solids and turbidity. The macroinvertebrate community responds to impoundment in density changes and shifting of dominance. We hypothesize that the thermal effect of hypolimnial release from warm monomictic reservoirs on the invertebrate community of warm streams will differ from an equivalent thermal change caused by cold dimictic reservoirs in cold, temperate zone, streams. The effect of impoundment on functional properties of the ecosystem are most pronounced. The rate of production of benthic algae biomass below the reservoir increased by more than two orders of magnitude, but the effect diminished downstream. The rate of processing of plant material below the reservoir was lower than above the reservoir. Further investigation is needed to clarify this effect. Changes in reservoir operation are recommended to diminish the effects of impoundment.     

Assessing the benefit of flow constraints on the drifting invertebrate community of a regulated river

The downstream effects of hydroelectric dam operations on the abundance and diversity of the macroinvertebrate drift community of a regulated river were compared to that of an unregulated river, longitudinally and across three seasons. The regulated river operated under minimum flow and ramping rate (rate of change of flow) restrictions resulting in a ‘modified peaking’ regime, which means the facility could still peak, but at a slower rate and may not reach maximum turbine flows in the short time typically required to respond to market energy demand. The unregulated river had no dams or other water control structures. There was a trend of increasing abundance and diversity with distance from the dam on the regulated river, with no discernable trend along the unregulated river. While feeding guild proportions did not vary along the unregulated river, within the regulated river feeding guild proportions changed longitudinally as scrapers and collector gatherers increased, and filterers and predators decreased with distance downstream. The regulated river had similar or higher abundance across all seasons, with lower diversity in the spring. Seasonal average discharge was found to be lowest in summer on both rivers, with the regulated river benefiting from a minimum flow to help maintain higher abundance and diversity. Overall, our examination of the drifting invertebrate community on a regulated river support that operational constraints associated with modified peaking regimes helped mitigate the typical negative effects associated with river regulation. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of stream regulation on atlantic salmon,Salmo salar L., and brown trout,Salmo trutta l., in the upper severn catchment,U.K.

Data for three rivers in the upper Severn catchment are examined to assess the influence of regulation strategies on the Atlantic salmon and brown trout populations. In the regulated Afon Clywedog, juvenile recruitment of both species declined steadily following increased utilization of the impoundment for regulation. The decline was considered the response to the variable and rapidly changing discharge regime adopted in the river. Spawning success and juvenile survival of salmonids in the Vyrnwy was relatively stable suggesting the flow regime in this river was less devastating.     

荆江河道水流运动特性研究

利用长江防洪实体模型,全面系统地对荆江不同流量条件下的各水力要素进行测量,并结合三峡水库蓄水以来的水沙、地形资料,分析了荆江河段水流运动的基本规律和近期变化的特点,在此基础上对荆江不同河道整治方案进行了研究,并针对不同河型提出了具体的河势控制措施。研究成果表明 : 通过试验分析较详细地掌握了荆江水面纵比降、断面宽深比、流速分布及水流动力轴线变化等水力要素变化的特点,揭示了荆江河段水流运动规律,并为河道（航道）整治工程提供了科学依据。     

三峡水库2003年蓄水对长江中下游水情影响分析

三峡工程经过近10 a的建设于2003年6月上旬蓄水至135 m,工程进入围堰发电运行期,10月由于航运等方面的需要,水库第2次蓄水至139 m.水库蓄水减少了上游来水,使中下游的水情发生了相应的变化,其变化也引起了社会各界的关心.根据三峡水库的蓄水情况,对2003年三峡水库蓄水期间长江中下游主要站螺山、汉口、大通站水位、流量进行研究,分析三峡水库蓄水对长江中下游水情的影响.     

Invertebrate accessibility and vulnerability in the analysis of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) summer habitat suitability

Water discharge regulation can affect food availability, accessibility and vulnerability and thus, the trophic habitat suitability for lotic salmonids. To analyse brown trout habitat suitability, we therefore combined the relative importance of the food availability (overall abundance of benthic and drifting invertebrates), with the potential food vulnerability (accessibility, conspicuousness and ease of handling), the latter depending on both physical habitat characteristics (flow patterns and structural complexity of habitat) and invertebrate traits (size and other biological traits). We considered the trophic patterns of trout at two spatial scales: the reach scale (unregulated reach versus regulated reach) and the macrohabitat scale (e.g. riffles and pools). Discharge regulation reduced trout abundance, biomass, and temperature‐independent growth rates. In the regulated reach, trout had a lower total prey consumption, a higher consumption of terrestrial invertebrates and a higher diet diversity than in the unregulated reach, indicating that trout were food‐limited. However, the potential availability of food supplies per individual trout was similar for the two reaches. Thus, trout prey consumption in the regulated reach should have been predominantly affected by the decrease in both the availability of large invertebrates in the drift and their vulnerability in the total food supplies. There were no macrohabitat‐specific differences in the total prey consumption and in the potential food availability within each reach. However, brown trout diets differed between the macrohabitats of each reach, in relation to differences in potential invertebrate vulnerability. Therefore, the potential vulnerability of invertebrates to predation was more relevant in the ecological evaluation of salmonid habitat suitability than the total food availability. The analysis at the macrohabitat scale provided a better understanding of the switches in brown trout diet and enabled a finer and more realistic analysis of trout feeding patterns. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.