The Spatial Ecology and Biological Responses of Wild Fishes Relative to Hydropower Development on the Winnipeg River

Abstract

I DedicationFirst, I dedicate this thesis to my wife, Nicole, for her enduring patience, support, and encouragement throughout my graduate studies. To my parents, for providing numerous opportunities for helping me discover and develop my passion for fish and conservation biology, as well as for their support and encouragement during my time in academia. To my FECPL colleagues, for all of the valuable and constructive ideas and feedback related to my research, data analyses, and the many memorable times I shared with many of you during my time at Carleton University. II AbstractWild fish population are often impounded by hydropower dams, which can restrict migration and habitat requirements, while making fishes susceptible to deleterious harm from entrainment through spillways and turbines, stranding from dewatering, as well as hydrokinetic developments that are being proposed for installment within tailraces. An acoustic biotelemetry study and model selection analysis was used to investigate the spatial ecology and biological responses from Lake Sturgeon and Walleye relative to hydropower developments on a large boreal shield river system. The results in chapter 2 document the seasonal trends in habitat use, activity responses, and depth use for Lake Sturgeon and Walleye within a run-of-river impoundment. In chapter 3, the telemetry data was used to investigate the risk from hydrokinetic turbines placed within the tailrace of a hydropower generating station on wild fishes. This information will help to inform managers and regulators where Lake Sturgeon and Walleye populations occur, and help guide best practices for commercial operations for hydrokinetic turbines that are placed within tailraces of hydropower stations. III