ESA Protection for the American Eel: Implications for US Hydropower

Jager, Yetta; Elrod, Brenna L; Samu, Nicole; McManamay, Ryan A.; Smith, Brennan T.

doi:10.2172/1110872

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 55 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…Dams and hydropower impede the riverine migrations of both juvenile and adult eels (Carr and Whoriskey 2008) and contribute to a broader issue of river fragmentation affecting all migratory river species (Belletti et al 2020; Mulligan et al 2020). In the United States, over 32 GW of existing hydropower capacity at 939 plants are within the current population range of the American Eel (Jager et al 2013). Conventional hydroelectric turbines contribute to higher injury and mortality rates of downstream‐migrating silver‐stage eels as well as juvenile eels (elvers or yellow‐stage eels) that fall back into spillways or turbines during their upstream migration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safe passage of American Eels through a novel hydropower turbine

et al. 2022

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Objective: Study the effects of downstream passage through a novel turbine designed for fish safety, the Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT), on American Eels Anguilla rostrata in a recirculating turbine test facility.Methods: A 55-cm-diameter RHT was operated under 10 m of hydraulic head and 667 revolutions/min. In total, 131 eels were passed through the turbine and 43 eels were used as experimental controls (length = 33.9-65.5 cm). High-speed video of passage through the runner region was captured for 89% of turbine-passed eels, and injury and behavioral effects were recorded immediately before and after passage, as well as after a 48-h holding period. A subset of 37 eels was additionally examined with X-ray imaging for internal injuries. Result:The 48-h survival rate for both treatment and control groups was 100%, with no major internal or external injuries present after the holding period. Conclusion:This is a substantial improvement over eel survival rates through conventional Kaplan and Francis turbines, which may range from 40% to 95%, and suggests that hydropower turbines designed for safe downstream fish passage could be implemented without major impacts to eels.

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