The behavioural response of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) to experimental hydropeaking on a Newfoundland (Canada) river

• Published in: River research and applications Vol. 19; no. 5-6; pp. 577 - 587
• Main Authors: Scruton, D. A., Ollerhead, L. M. N., Clarke, K. D., Pennell, C., Alfredsen, K., Harby, A., Kelley, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2003
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; behaviour; brook trout; Freshwater; hydropeaking; movements; telemetry
• ISSN: 1535-1459; 1535-1467
• DOI: 10.1002/rra.733

Deregulation of the electric power market globally will lead to increased requirement for electricity on demand resulting in more emphasis on ‘hydropeaking’ generation. A research study was conducted on the regulated West Salmon River, Newfoundland, Canada, to examine habitat selection and movement of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in response to flow changes related to ‘experimental’ peaking flow power generation. Fish were surgically implanted with microscale radio transmitters, released into an experimental study, and discharge was experimentally manipulated simulating two scenarios: (i) water storage during the day and generation at night, with a 2 hour transition; and (ii) night‐time storage with generation during the day. Experiments were repeated in the summer and fall. Fish were tracked throughout the diurnal cycle of each manipulation and precisely positioned in two‐dimensional space. Atlantic salmon exhibited two distinct patterns to movement: fish that showed high site fidelity and those that moved considerably during trials. Both salmon and trout were more active during fall hydropeaking experiments. Fish generally did not move long distances and moved more in a longitudinal fashion than laterally. Salmon moved greater distances, on average, than trout under all experimental conditions and during both seasons but these differences were not statistically significant. Brook trout moved more in relation to dynamic events (up‐ and down‐ramping) than at steady state flows. Trout also moved more at night during these dynamic changes and under low flow conditions. These results will assist producers of hydroelectricity to reduce the impacts of hydropeaking operations on fish and fish habitat. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.