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Eco‐hydraulic Evaluation of a Whitewater Park as a Fish Passage Barrier
Author(s) -
Fox Brian D.,
Bledsoe Brian P.,
Kolden Eleanor,
Kondratieff Matthew C.,
Myrick Christopher A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/1752-1688.12397
Subject(s) - salmo , rainbow trout , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , environmental science , brown trout , biology
Whitewater parks ( WWP s) typically consist of instream structures that enhance recreational boating by constricting flow into a steep chute that generates a hydraulic jump in a downstream pool. Concerns have been raised that high velocities resulting from WWP s may be inhibiting fish movement during critical life stages. We evaluated the effects of WWP s on upstream fish passage by concurrently monitoring fish movement and hydraulic conditions at three WWP structures and three adjacent natural control ( CR ) sites in a wadeable river in northern Colorado. Fish movement was tracked with a network of Passive Integrated Transponder antennas over a 14‐month period. Individual fishes ( n = 1,639), including brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), were tagged and released within WWP and CR sites. Detailed hydraulic conditions occurring during the study period were evaluated with a fully 3D model. Results reveal the WWP s monitored in this study are not a complete barrier to upstream salmonid movement, but differences in passage efficiency from release location range from 29 to 44% in WWP sites and 37 to 63% for CR sites and the suppression of movement is related to body length. Small numbers of monitored nonsalmonids were inadequate to directly observe effects on their movement; however, it is highly probable that movement of smaller native fishes is also suppressed. Hydraulic modeling helps in the design of WWP structures that protect fish passage.