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Title:	Imaging smolt behavior on bypass screens and a vertical barrier screen at McNary Dam in 1992
Authors:	Nestler, John M. Davidson, Robert A.
Keywords:	Fish screens--Evaluation Dams--Columbia River (Or. and Wash.)--Environmental aspects Underwater imaging systems Fishes--Migration
Publisher:	Environmental Laboratory (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	Technical Report;EL-95-21
Abstract:	Abstract: During the spring and summer of 1992, video imaging of smolt bypass systems at McNary Dam on the Columbia River was conducted using low-light sensitive underwater video cameras to record smolt behavior and impingement characteristics on a modified balanced flow vertical barrier screen (MBFVBS), a standard-length submerged traveling screen (SSTS), and an extended-length submerged bar screen (ESBS). The cameras on the ESBS recorded smolt behavior to three closure gate settings, two screen positions, three discharges, two screen angles, and presence/absence of a fyke net The cameras on the SSTS recorded smolt behavior only at the standard deployment settings. A total of 3,684 smolts representing 458 conditions were imaged. processed, and analyzed. Five cameras were located on the MBFVBS and imaged the passage of smolts up the gate slot. During imaging of the MBFVBS, one additional camera was located on top of the bypass screen to document gap loss and smelt passage over the top of the bypass screen. The cameras on the MBFVBS recorded smolt behavior to four unitloads (12,000, 13.000, 14,000, and 16,000 cfs) and three closure gate settings (normal gate setting, partial gate setting, and no gate}. A variety of hydraulic and behavioral data were collected from each recorded image for the bypass screens. Data from physical model studies were used to supplement imaging data for some design or deployment configurations. For the bypass screens, hydraulic data included direct measurements of water approach angle relative to the screen surface. Behavioral data collected included descriptions of the approach of the smolt to the screen (i.e., angle of approach, angle of retreat after a strike, orientation of the fish in the water) and descriptions of entrainment and impingement of smolts on the screen (e.g., entrainment without strike or impingement. strike with escape, impingement without escape, head-first approach without strike or impingement, and head-first approach with impingement). The video imaging demonstrated that direct imaging of smolt behavior in the different parts of a bypass system can provide valuable information on the effects of different screen designs or deployment configurations. Video imaging within the bypass screen system should be used to supplement fish guidance efficiency studies to determine localized effects of the bypass system.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/22624
Appears in Collections:	Technical Report