Flow dynamics and bedload sediment transport around paired deflectors for fish habitat enhancement: a field study in the Nicolet River

Abstract

Schemes to restore fish habitat in rivers often involve installing instream structures such as current deflectors to create and maintain riffle-pool sequences. However, there is a lack of field studies on the impact of these structures on flow dynamics and bed topography. The objective of this research is to characterize flow dynamics and sediment transport around paired deflectors used to enhance fish habitat in the Nicolet River, Quebec. Bed and bank topography surveys were taken with a total station, and velocity and bed shear stress estimates were obtained from an acoustic doppler velocimeter. Bedload sediment transport was assessed by two methods: tracer rocks (painted "particles" and passive integrated transponder tags) and sediment traps. Results show marked differences in bedload sediment transport patterns between the left bank and the right bank downstream of the deflectors. This is surprising considering that paired deflectors should produce a relatively symmetrical disruption to the flow field on each side. More high-flow dynamics data during overtopping conditions are required to understand the complex interactions between these instream structures and bedload transport. Key words: stream restoration, pool, bedload transport, radio frequency identification (RFID), passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, fieldwork, deflectors, fish habitat.