RESPONSE OF WHITE STURGEON TO VARIOUS HYDROPOWER OPERATING REGIMES

摘要

This paper outlines a program to develop a better understanding for fish response to flow management in natural rivers. The need to understand these relationships is driven by regulatory requirements and plans for recovering key species in the aquatic ecosystem. One particular question addressed in this research is whether rapid changes in discharge due to hydropower generation influence growth potential of juvenile white sturgeon. The methodology integrates a hydrodynamic model (of depths, velocity components, and water quality parameters) with field measurements of individual fish's exact locations. These fish were monitored remotely for both location and metabolic rate (through sonic transmitters and electromyogram [EMG] monitoring tags). Initial analysis and results of the position and metabolic monitoring are presented. These data will be used to enhance knowledge about the critical hydrologic conditions that cause fish to change habitat locations and about the energy expenditure of fish associated with rapidly changing flow conditions.