Fish passing through the turbines of Pomeranian river hydroelectric plants [SHORT COMMUNICATION]

Abstract

The rate of losses resulting from fish (rainbow trout of a total length of 12 – 23 cm, the same size as sea trout smolts) passing through turbines was estimated. The fish were provided with 3 x 4 cm Styrofoam floats tied to their backs under the dorsal fin. The tagged fish were immersed in covered buckets into the inlet of the turbine canal before switching on the turbines. The bucket lids were removed by a special line, and the fish were drawn into the turbine canal with the water flow. After passing through the canal, the fish, which had a limited area to move in at a greater depth and were easily identified due to the styrofoam floats, were recaptured manually with nets from boats.
Fish losses at the hydroelectric power plants situated on Pomeranian rivers ranged from 0.0 to 60% and depended on the differences between water levels upstream and downstream from the hydroelectric power plants and on the turbine’s rotation speed per minute.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Ryszard Bartel, Instytut Rybactwa Śródlądowego, ul. Reduta Żbik 5, 80-761 Gdańsk; Tel./Fax: +48 58 3057011;
e-mail: gdansk@infish.com.pl