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A Review of Studies Relating to the Effects of Propeller‐Type Turbine Passage on Fish Early Life Stages
Author(s) -
Cada Glenn F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1990)010<0418:arosrt>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - turbine , ichthyoplankton , propeller , environmental science , marine engineering , turbine blade , hydropower , fish <actinopterygii> , siphon (mollusc) , fishery , biology , ecology , engineering , mechanical engineering
Although few studies have been conducted to directly quantify ichthyoplankton mortality at hydroelectric installations, there is a considerable body of literature on examinations of the various stresses (i.e., pressure changes, blade contact, shear) that could affect turbine‐entrained eggs and larvae. A review of these studies suggests that turbine‐passage mortality of early life stages of fish normally would be relatively low at the low‐head, propeller‐type turbine installations (e.g., bulb or STRAFLO turbines), for which relevant design information is available. The shear forces and pressure changes in low‐head bulb turbines are unlikely to cause ichthyoplankton mortality. Probability of contact with turbine blades is related to size of the fish; less than 5% of entrained ichthyoplankton would be affected. Potential additional sources of mortality related to the design and operation of hydroelectric facilities, and thus mitigable, include withdrawal of deep water and cavitation.