The influence of cascade hydropower development on the hydrodynamic conditions impacting the reproductive process of fish with semi-buoyant eggs

Abstract

Hydropower projects have changed the physical habitat of rivers, which has a serious impact on the survival of local fish. The reproduction of fish producing semi-buoyant eggs requires a specific hydrodynamic condition. To predict the influence of cascade hydropower development on the reproductive process of fish with semi-buoyant eggs, a MIKE 21 Flow Model was applied. Lagrangian particle tracking was used to simulate the movement of semi-buoyant eggs and larvae using the Agent-based Modeling (ABM) lab module. The calibrated model showed good agreement between the simulated and observed data for the hydrodynamic process in the reservoir. Twelve scenarios were defined to fully understand whether fish with semi-buoyant eggs can reproduce naturally. The results showed the following: (1) It is difficult to form a fish migration passage in the reservoir in all potential scenarios. (2) Semi-buoyant eggs and larvae sank to the bottom and perished before they hatched and were old enough to survive, since the hydrodynamic conditions could not meet the minimum flow velocity required to keep them in the drift. (3) Even if the hydrodynamic conditions can keep them in the drift in impossible high-discharge conditions, there was not enough drifting time and distance in the reservoir. The results implied that fishes with semi-buoyant eggs cannot reproduce naturally in the main stream, but it is possible that they can reproduce successfully after the protection of the tributary. The method is transferrable to other locations via establishment of models with relevant data to a particular area.