Author(s): R. Casas-Mulet; S. Saltveit; K. Alfredsen

Linked Author(s): Roser Casas-Mulet, Knut Alfredsen

Keywords: Hydropeaking; Salmonid early life stages; Thermal modelling; Mitigation strategies

Abstract: Altering hydrological and thermal regimes in hydropower-regulated rivers has the potential to impact early life stages of salmonid, including alevins and eggs. Hydropeaking can lead to dewatering of spawning grounds and impact their natural development and survival, with different levels of affectation to alevins vs. eggs due to their tolerance to desiccation. It is therefore key to identify the specific development stage for the assessment of impacts to salmonid populations, as well as to aid the design of efficient flow-related mitigation measures. This paper is an extract of published works (Casas-Mulet et al 2014, 2016), and it focusses on the thermal modelling approach used to compare the effects of hydropeaking regimes on early life stages survival. Outcomes show the ability to support the environmental design of cost-efficient flow releases in hydropeaking rivers.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_370-cd

Year: 2018