Researchers have developed a model to assess how dams affect the
viability of sea-run fish species that need to pass dams as they use
both fresh and marine waters during their lifetimes. The aim is to test
how varying passage efficiency at dams related to survival rates for
these species, using a model of endangered Atlantic salmon as a case
study.
Using a model of endangered Atlantic salmon in Maine's Penobscot
River as a case study, NOAA researchers found that abundance,
distribution and number of fish increased upstream when dams in the
primary downstream segments of the river, also called "mainstem dams,"
were removed or fish passage survival was increased. The findings were
recently published online in the ICES Journal of Marine Science.
Models like this one, which analyze population viability based on a
variety of biological, environmental, and functional factors, can be
used to predict ecological responses of fish populations. They can also
provide a way to evaluate and prioritize management and restoration
actions for fish that migrate between fresh and salt water.
"The Dam Impact Analysis Model enables us to see what happens when
you change one factor, like marine or freshwater survival," said Julie
Nieland, a researcher at NEFSC's laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass. and
lead author of the study. "For example, salmon abundance increased when
marine or freshwater survival rates were increased. However, the
increase was larger when marine survival increased than when freshwater
survival increased. We are also able to change the survival rate and
passage efficiency at individual or multiple dams to look at the effects
on salmon abundance and distribution throughout the river system. Those
changes tell us a lot about the factors influencing the population."
Dams and low marine survival rates are two of the biggest threats to
many diadromous fishes, which spend part of their life in freshwater and
part in the ocean. Dams can prevent or impede fish passage and degrade
the habitats upstream by inundating formerly free-flowing rivers,
reducing water quality, and altering fish communities. They can also
kill and injure fish during migrations. Direct mortality occurs when
fish pass through turbines, over fishways, or through fish bypasses.
Indirect mortality comes from increased predation in altered habitats,
health risks from injuries, and the added effects of stress and injury
that come with passing one or more dams.
"The good news is that these effects can be reduced by installing or
improving fish passage devices, modifying dam operations during peak
migration periods, changing the structure of the dam to reduce injury
and mortality, and by dam removal," Nieland said.
In the Penobscot River, the second largest river in New England, fish
passage on the lower parts of the river has been helped by the removal
of Great Works Dam in 2012 and Veazie Dam in 2013, and by building a
natural river channel bypass around Howland Dam in 2015 as part of the
Penobscot River Restoration Project. Access to habitat along the river
and its tributaries has been improved for sea-run fish, including
Atlantic salmon, American shad, river herring, striped bass, Atlantic
sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. In addition, increased survival
standards for Atlantic salmon at many remaining dams have been
implemented as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
licensing requirements.
In 2014, more than 800 American shad and 180,000 river herring were
counted by scientists at the newly-installed fish lift at the Milford
Dam, the first mainstem dam on the system. Prior to 2014, there were no
known American shad above Milford and very few river herring. Diadromous
fish that survive passage at the Milford fish lift will emerge into
historic spawning, nursery and rearing grounds that have not been
accessible since the early 1900s.
Passage at the remaining dams on the Penobscot River will be
important to the recovery of diadromous fish populations. The model can
be used to help estimate what passage rates are needed to avoid
jeopardizing these populations.
NOAA Fisheries researchers used the model to look at the impacts of
15 FERC-licensed hydroelectric dams in the Penobscot River watershed.
Their results showed the number and location of dams affected adult
salmon abundance, distribution, and the proportion of wild fish using
various parts of the watershed. Salmon numbers increased as the number
of hydroelectric dams decreased. Mainstem river dams had more impact
than dams on tributaries. Salmon abundance also decreased as indirect
mortality from effects of having to navigate past dams and up fish
ladders or other passages increased. FERC is required to consult with
NOAA Fisheries Service to ensure that continued dam operation does not
impede recovery of Atlantic salmon.
"The Dam Impact Analysis Model provides managers with a way to assess
the levels of survival needed for Atlantic salmon at several large
mainstem dams in the lower Penobscot River," said Jeff Murphy, an
endangered species biologist at GARFO. "Going forward, it will be an
extremely important tool for identifying survival standards for Atlantic
salmon at other dams in the Penobscot River watershed as we work to
recover the species in Maine."
"There is still a lot of work to do to improve access to more
historic river habitat for diadromous fish," Nieland said. "Hundreds of
dams and thousands of road-stream crossings, or culverts, remain as
barriers to fish passage in the Penobscot watershed. The model can help
us plan for restoration and management actions to increase survival and
abundance of many of the sea-run fish species, including those that are
endangered or threatened."
This story is taken from Science Daily
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