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Effectiveness of pulse flows in a regulated river for inducing upstream movement of an imperiled stock of Chinook salmon

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Abstract

We assessed the effectiveness of pulse flows in facilitating the upstream migration of an imperiled summer-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) stock in the Puntledge River, BC, Canada. During July and August, over 3 years, we tracked radio-tagged fish (n = 100) in a reach of the Puntledge River where water is diverted for power generation, resulting in stable low flows that are believed to impede migration. Over the course of  13 pulse flows, we measured migration rate, passage rate at natural barriers that are difficult to pass during low flows, movement away from the turbine outlet pool that creates distracting flows, and locomotor activity. Mean river flow during the peak of the pulses varied from 12.1 to 42.5 m3 s−1 and was at least 6.1 m3 s−1 above residual base flows. Typically, the pulse flows lasted 48 h. Migration rate was higher during some pulse flows, but results varied among pulses. Passage at natural barriers was only higher during an abnormal pulse where flows reached twice that of the prescribed flow (i.e., 24+ m3 s−1). Some fish moved away from the turbine outlet pool during pulse flows. Pulse flows did not affect fish activity levels, as measured by electromyogram telemetry. Although the effect of pulsed flows on the migration of the Puntledge River summer-run Chinook salmon was unclear, no negative impacts, such as hyperactivity or downstream displacement were observed. The use of pulse flows as a management tool still requires further research.

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  1. http://www.bchydro.com/etc./medialib/internet/documents/environment/pdf/wup_puntledge_river_executive_summary_pdf.Par.0001.File.wup_puntledge_river_executive_summary.pdf.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all of the field assistants (especially Rana Sunder, Samantha Wilson, Mark Taylor, Cody Dey, Mike Donaldson, and Charles Hatry), Puntledge Hatchery staff (DFO), John Taylor, and BC Hydro staff that provided support for this project. Funding was provided by BC Hydro. CTH was funded by an Alexander Graham Bell Canadian Graduate Scholarship and SJC is supported by the Canada Research Chairs program and NSERC.

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Author notes

  1. Caleb T. Hasler

    Present address: Dillon Consulting Limited, 177 Colonnade Rd., Ottawa, ON, K2E 7J4, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada

    Caleb T. Hasler & Steven J. Cooke

  2. Guimond Environmental Consulting, 473 Leighton Avenue, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2Z5, Canada

    Esther Guimond

  3. BC Hydro, 6911 Southpoint Drive, Burnaby, BC, V3N 4X8, Canada

    Brent Mossop

  4. Department of Forest Sciences, Centre for Applied Conservation Research, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Scott G. Hinch

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  1. Caleb T. Hasler
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  2. Esther Guimond
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  3. Brent Mossop
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  4. Scott G. Hinch
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  5. Steven J. Cooke
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Correspondence to Caleb T. Hasler.

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Hasler, C.T., Guimond, E., Mossop, B. et al. Effectiveness of pulse flows in a regulated river for inducing upstream movement of an imperiled stock of Chinook salmon. Aquat Sci 76, 231–241 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-013-0332-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-013-0332-5

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