Fish Passage

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A major component of an Atlantic salmon population model developed by NMFS is the survival of smolts and kelts passing downstream at hydropower projects.  To obtain this information, NMFS contracted Alden to estimate downstream passage survival of Atlantic salmon smolts and kelts at 15 hydroelectric projects on Maine’s Penobscot River and its tributaries.  These desktop survival estimates focus on direct mortality attributable to passage at dams and to multiple dam passage.  An established turbine blade strike probability and mortality model was used to estimate direct survival of fish passing through turbines at each project.  Survival rates for fish that pass downstream over spillways or through fish bypass facilities were estimated based on existing site-specific data or from studies conducted at other hydro projects with the same or similar species.  Most of the projects included in the study have upstream passage facilities for anadromous species (river herring, American shad, and/or Atlantic salmon), as well as operating downstream bypasses for juvenile and adult outmigrants.  Some of the projects have installed narrow-spaced bar racks or overlays to reduce fish entrainment through turbines.

The results of Alden’s survival analysis provided data in a level of detail that would have been extremely expensive and difficult to accomplish with field studies.  Typically, turbine passage survival studies conducted in the field only evaluate one or two turbines operating at one or two gate settings (i.e., flow rates). The methods and model developed for NMFS for Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River are transferable to other river systems and species.  The theoretical model for predicting strike probability is applicable to most species and the blade strike mortality data for rainbow trout are considered representative of many other species. 

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The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has funded laboratory studies at Alden on the biological efficacy of fine-mesh screens for safely collecting larval and juvenile fish. However, little information existed on the effects of fish return systems on larval or early juvenile survival. Alden performed two years of laboratory evaluations on factors affecting larval fish survival in fish return systems at cooling water intake structures (CWISs). The project provided the additional data necessary to determine the overall biological efficacy of larval fish collection and return systems. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of velocity, drop height, length, drops and bends on larval fish survival through a fish return system.

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Alden’s engineers and biologists conducted extensive CFD modeling and biological evaluations to help the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HG&E) develop an effective downstream passage solution for endangered shortnose sturgeon at the Hadley Falls Station on the Connecticut River. The results of these studies produced engineering and hydraulic design criteria for an exclusion rack and downstream bypass.  The CFD modeling examined flow conditions for several alternative rack designs, as well as the bypass discharge to ensure safe downstream passage of fish and minimal interference of upstream migrants trying to locate the entrance to a fish lift.  Alden also developed conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates for the preferred alternatives and conducted biological testing in a large laboratory flume with various configurations of bar racks and bypass entrance designs with juvenile shortnose sturgeon.  Agency acceptance of the final design was obtained by HG&E after Alden completed a desktop analysis of total downstream passage survival using the laboratory bypass efficiency data and theoretical estimates of turbine survival.

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Alden performed design studies and field startup testingof PSE’s Upper and Lower Baker Dams Floating Surface Collector (FSC) systems. The FSC concept is well-suited for downstream fish passage in deep reservoirs with large variations in water level. Guide nets stretching from the water surface to reservoir bottom funnel migrant fish to the FSC, which provides attraction flow through high-flow submersible pumps. As flow is drawn into the FSC, dewatering screens funnel the fish to holding pens for transportation around the dam.

ALDEN conducted a 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model study of the reservoir hydraulics, guide nets, and FSC to optimize the location, orientation, and discharge of the Upper Baker FSC. Alden then developed a physical model of a preliminary version of the FSC dewatering screens and pumps to improve pump performance and screen channel hydraulics. After construction, ALDEN provided comprehensive field startup testing of the hydraulic performance of the FSC, balanced the dewatering screens, and provided critical operations information to PSE.

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During periods of spill, Cabinet Gorge Dam was generating total dissolved gas (TDG) concentrations in excess of water quality standards. Through a series of feasibility studies, design evaluations, retrofits and/or modifications, Alden engineers worked to help Avista Corporation meet their FERC licensing requirements for the hydroelectric project located in Idaho on the Clark Fork River.

In early studies, the Alden team performed a 1:50 scale physical hydraulic model study to investigate re-commissioning of diversion tunnels used during construction of the project as bypass tunnels to pass spill flows at lower TDG levels than are generated during spillway operation. Studies revealed that the reduction in TDG afforded by the bypass tunnels was less than originally expected.

Additional feasibility studies were conducted to evaluate two alternatives for TDG reduction. One idea was the creation of off-stream “gas stripping” channels downstream of the dam, which ultimately proved to be fish passage un-friendly. Ultimately, modification of the existing spillway crest was found to be most feasible.

Full hydraulic and structural engineering services from feasibility through design and construction have been completed for the modifications to five of the eight spill bays in order to reduce TDG. Construction plans and specifications were prepared, and documentation for submittal to FERC was produced. Alden also provided construction technical support.

In addition to the work done to reduce TDG, Alden engineers also performed several structural projects for Cabinet Gorge Dam:

• A Stoplog Deployment Crane was designed and fabrication-level drawings developed for the deployment crane system for lifting 10-ton stoplogs. The steel frame was designed to allow assembly and disassembly at each of the eight spill bays. Performance specifications for the 15-ton top running hoist were also provided
• The FERC Supporting Technical Information (STI) Documents were reviewed and updated for Section 6—Hydrology/Hydraulics and Section— Stability/Stress Analysis.

In further compliance measures, the development of a fish trap design in the project tailrace for the expedited transmissivity of ESA listed bull trout past the project was supported. This effort also used the 1:50 scale model for initial site selection studies. Alden also provided a fisheries and hydraulic engineering representative on a “panel of experts” who advised on the best approach for trap site selection and design. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of the project tailrace was performed to confirm satisfactory location and performance of the selected trap design. The CFD model developed for the fish trap studies also confirmed compatibility of the TDG mitigation measures with the fish trap operations and to guide future development of the TDG mitigation.

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Dive in Deeper

Read more about Total Dissolved Gas at High Head Dams in this three-part blog series.

1. Improving Water Quality: Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) Production at High Head Dams [Part 1]
2. Air Supply Ramps and Cavitation: Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) Production at High Head Dams [Part 2]
3. Energy Dissipating Devices: Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) Production at High Head Dams [Part 3]

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Through funding made available by the U.S. Department of Energy, Alden conducted a series of studies to evaluate and optimize the design and operation of two modular and scalable fish bypass systems developed specifically to provide safe downstream passage of silver American Eels at hydropower projects. The goal of the studies was to address the need for biologically effective and less expensive downstream fish passage technologies for silver eels. The studies were developed specifically for this fish species and life stage due to population declines in many areas of its range and the potential for mortality to occur if eels migrating to the marine environment to spawn are entrained through hydro turbines during their journey to the sea. The large size and unique behaviors of silver eels have made it difficult for dam owners to implement downstream passage measures that are both biologically and cost effective, resulting in a need for new innovative technologies.

The studies conducted by Alden included a laboratory evaluation of the biological performance of the two bypass systems, a field evaluation of biological performance conducted with full-scale bypass systems installed at the intake of a small hydro project in New Hampshire, CFD modeling of the laboratory flume and field evaluation site, and a desktop assessment of the potential for application of each technology at hydro projects within the known range of American Eel and the expected benefits (i.e., biological and economic). Few organizations have the capabilities to conduct this array of technical studies, but Alden’s scientists and engineers have been using various combinations of these approaches and methods to develop and evaluate state-of-the-art fish passage and protection systems for nearly 50 years.

Assistance with the performance and completion of these studies was provided by Lakeside Engineering (bypass design and installation) and Blue Leaf Environmental (DIDSON acoustic camera and 3D acoustic telemetry services).

 

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