Minimum Water Discharge Research Articles

Migratory behaviour of adult fast‐growing brown trout (Salmo trutta, L.) In relation to water flow in a regulated Norwegian river

The migration pattern of spawners of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in relation to water flow was analysed by radio-tracking in the regulated River Gudbrandsdalslågen, Norway. During the upstream spawning migration in the high flow period, trout (2–12 kg) were caught, tagged and released 15 km downstream of a fish ladder at the Hunderfossen waterfall. The released fish displayed a systematic and directional upstream movement to the outlet of the tunnel from the hydroelectricity plant. In autumn and winter there is a minimum water discharge of 20–2 m3/s on p.s. in the river between the dam and the outlet of the tunnel, which has a discharge of 200–300 m3/s. When the water flowing over the Hunderfossen dam decreased to 20 m3/s, the ascent of brown trout up the river stopped and fish periodically entered the power plant tunnel. To determine the flow necessary to attract fish into the spawning reach above the tunnel outlet, two experiments were undertaken using 12 and 17 radio-tagged trout. In the first experiment, 60 m3/s of water released for 24 h resulted in the migration of 50% of the trout up the river. The second experiment, releasing 60 m3/s for 24 h, followed by 30 m3/s for 24 h two days later, resulted in the migration of 60% of the trout. Only one fish ascended the river at a flow of 30 m3/s. It is recommended that a repeated release of water at 60 m3/s is made in periods of minimum water discharge to save the spawning migration. The results demonstrate the advantage of using radio-tracking in experiments dealing with fish migration in relation to water-flow management.

The influence of physical watercourse parameters on the degree of anadromy in different lake populations of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)) in northern Norway

AbstractThe influence of physical watercourse parameters on the degree of anadromy was studied in 15 lake populations of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)) in northern Norway. The anadromy of the different populations was scored based on the following criteria; marine parasites. fish length and length at maturity. There were significant negative correlations between the anadromy scores and both the length of the outlet rivers of the different lakes and a migration barrier index for the different watercourses (combining migration distance and water velocity). It is hypothsized that these correlations were due to differences in energy expenditure for charr during upstream migration and/or differences in predation pressure on charr during river migration. Short rivers with relatively high water velocity seem to be the most preferable conditions for the anadromous life‐history strategy. There were no correlations between the degree of anadromy and mean river slope or minimum summer water discharge.

A STUDY OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE CANBERRA AREA AND THE QUEANBEYAN RIVER WATERSHED (GOOGONG DAM CATCHMENT)1

ABSTRACTData provided by the Australian Commonwealth Bureaus of Meteorology and Mineral Resources are used in this water budget study of the Queanbeyan River watershed. Air and soil temperatures show close correlation from month to month during the five‐year period. A close parallel also exists for the air temperature values and the seasonal variations in the Nett‐Moisture (rainfall minus evaporation) plots. Ground‐water levels appear to be influenced by drought periods and by under groundwater storage conditions such as “nick‐points” in the sub‐surface migration conditions. The groundwater levels were unusually high early in the drought year of 1964‐65. The annual rainfall totals for 1962, 1963, and 1966 were all exceeded by the evaporation totals. In 1964 and in 1965 (the drought year) the evaporation total exceeded the rainfall total. The minimum annual water discharge values for the Queanbeyan River ranged from 4.9″ in 1963 to 1.4′ in 1965.