Utilization of the fish ladder at the Engenheiro Sergio Motta Dam, Brazil, by long distance migrating potamodromous species

Abstract

Utilization of the fish ladder installed at the Engenheiro Sergio Motta Dam (also known as Porto Primavera) on the Paraná River, Southern Brazil, by long-distance migrating potamodromous species (sampling Protocol I), and ascending and descending movements (Protocol II) were evaluated. Three pools along the fish ladder (designated as lower, middle, and upper) were sampled monthly between December, 2004 and March, 2005 to determine the abundance of species in the ladder. The ascending and descending movements of the species in the ladder were also analyzed in the same period. In the samples for both protocols, 37 species representing 17 families and 5 orders (Characiformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Gymnotiformes, and Myliobatiformes) were recorded. Characiformes were represented by 21 species. Long-distance migratory species (11 species) predominated in the ladder (60% of the total number of individuals), with high abundance of Rhinelepis aspera (5645 individuals). For protocol I, mean abundance varied greatly among the months and pools, with lowest values in December and March for all pools, and highest in January for the lower pool due to high capture of R. aspera. Fish abundance declined from the lower to the upper pool, especially for R. aspera and Rhaphiodon vulpinus. For Protocol II, 17 species were recorded ascending the ladder, where Astyanax altiparanae and Leporinus friderici were the most abundant species (684 and 111 individuals, respectively). However, 18 species showed descending movements, with high captures of Metynnis maculatus and A. altiparanae (339 and 319 individuals, respectively). Twelve species (52%) moved in both directions, and among the seven migratory species sampled, four were recorded ascending and descending, and three species only ascending the ladder. The fish ladder appears to selectively favor species with high swimming capabilities. A discussion is presented on the requirements for future research on attraction to the fish ladder entrance, downstream movements, fish utilization of the ladder, and impacts on spawning and rearing habitat both upstream and downstream of the dam.A utilização da escada para peixes instalada na barragem Engenheiro Sergio Motta (também conhecida como Porto Primavera) no rio Paraná, no sudeste do Brasil, por espécies potamódromas de longa distância (protocolo I) e os movimentos ascendentes e descendentes (protocolo II) foram avaliados. Três tanques ao longo da escada para peixes (denominados como foz, meio e tomada) foram amostrados mensalmente entre dezembro de 2004 a março de 2005 para avaliar a abundância de espécies na escada. Os movimentos ascendentes e descendentes das espécies na escada foram analisados no mesmo período. Nas amostragens relativas aos protocolo I e II, foram capturadas 37 espécies representando 17 famílias e cinco ordens (Characiformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Gymnotiformes e Myliobatiformes). Os Characiformes foram representados por 21 espécies. Espécies migradoras de longa distância (11 espécies) predominaram (60% do tota...

A barrier to upstream migration in the fish passage of Itaipu Dam (Canal da Piracema), Paraná River basin

“…For P. lineatus, that presented the largest rates of ascent, one must consider the possibility of a predominantly reproductive motivation, or of dispersal, since it is hardly likely that such an abundance observed of this species in the system could be related to the trophic stimulus, due to its illyophagous feeding habit and the apparently low availability of this type of food in the system. This was also verified by Makrakis et al (2007a) in the fish ladder located in the Porto Primavera, situated approximately 250 km upstream of the Itaipu reservoir. In that same hydro plant, Volpato et al (2009), observed that P. lineatus individuals found in the upper part of the ladder were significantly larger than those found in the lower part, suggesting selectivity related to the size of the fishes.…”

“…Although individuals of some species successfully pass the Canal, available data suggest that passage may be poor (Hahn, 2007;Makrakis et al, 2011), and the system component designated as the Discharge channel in the Bela Vista River (herein named Canal de deságue no rio Bela Vista or CABV), a 200 m long technical section, was the main barrier to the upstream migration. Although detailed data are lacking for other systems, low fish ascension efficiency coupled with species selectivity appears to be a common characteristic of South American fish passages (Oldani & Baigún, 2002;Agostinho et al, 2002Agostinho et al, , 2007Makrakis et al, 2007a;Godinho & Kynard, 2009). However, the fish pass efficiency for South American rivers must consider its capability to maintain viable populations (Pompeu et al, 2012).…”

The use of morphometric analysis to predict the swimming efficiency of two Neotropical long-distance migratory species in fish passage

“…It consists of fifty concrete weirs forming pools 5 m wide x 2 m high. These structures aid the fish to reach the reservoir (for details see Makrakis et al, 2007a).…”

“…Both species are highly important for fisheries. They have been observed in the fish passage systems along the Paraná River, including the fish ladder at the Porto Primavera Hydroelectric Power Plant (Makrakis et al, 2007a) and Piracema Canal, a lateral channel at Itaipu Dam (Makrakis et al, 2007b). Progress in the knowledge of Neotropical migratory species may facilitate research on swimming performance and on the planning of future fish passage systems.…”

Deficient downstream passage through fish ladders: the case of Peixe Angical Dam, Tocantins River, Brazil

“…The first evaluations originated only recently and have challenged the sanctity of fishways. In fact, studies have identified important problems during upstream passage (Oldani & Baigún, 2002;Fernandez et al, 2004;Agostinho et al, 2007a;Makrakis et al, 2007;Volpato et al, 2009). The basis of these problems is that few species are able to ascend ladders and other facilities.…”