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 Fish Passage in Culverts;

Dealing with the Multidisciplinary Framework of

Biological and Engineering Information

Introduction

Goal:

The overall outcome of this workshop is to create a common understanding  of Alberta Transportation’s (TRANS’) process for the installation of culverts

at fish bearing watercourses and describe how fish passage is

achieved.

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This will provide a standard practice that will lead to a streamlined approach for designing and

installing culverts along provincial highways in Alberta.

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Fish passage will no longer be a problem at culvert structures!

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Note:

Fish passage can be achieved in different ways but this is the recommended approach for TRANS.

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Background

Past discussions on fish passage between biologist and engineers have usually gone from:

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………this type of ‘stimulating discussion’:

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DanaDes

…….to this.

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Or past perceptions have influenced things

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Where’s the water?

Not only on the fisheries side of things…

But on the regulatory side too.

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Although that is changing.

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Despite perceptions neither engineers or biologist are right;

neither profession is wrong and all the fish really care

about is getting from point A to point B.

Therefore the solution isengineers + biologists = fish

passage.

Historically, culverts have been a blockage to fish passage in many instances.

‘Older style’ culverts, with no embedment below the streambed, were designed to convey water but did not necessarily allow for fish passage.

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Oooops!

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• Kokanee

Trying

Migrate.• Photo

• Credit: Clayton Nalder

(American Fisheries

Society 2012)

A really big jump

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Houston, we have a problem.

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As can be seen some of the structures weren’t particularly good at passing water, providing drainage, and did not allow fish passage.

Fortunately we are in a different world these days.

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Advances in hydraulic design and an increased understanding of fish passage requirements in recent years has resulted in fish friendly culverts being installed.

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Embedded Culvert

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However, progress in the acceptance of culverts can pass

fish has been limited by the lack of understanding between biologists and engineers of both hydraulic

design and fish passage requirements.

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For the most part, training is lacking for engineers in fish physiology and behavior etc., and training is lacking for biologists in hydraulics etc. Often

terminology is not ‘equivalent’ between the two disciplines.

Terminology

Terminology is a large problem – throughout todays presentations you will hear both engineering and biological terms.

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For example if the common biological term ‘ordinary high water mark’ is used this really means nothing to an engineer. Likewise ‘bank full’ in hydrotechnical terms does not mean same thing to a biologist as it would to and engineer.

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Stream Characteristics/Terminology Utilized in the Design Process

Biologist’s view

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Success!

Engineer’s View

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Success!

What will be covered today:

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• Brief Background on the history of culverts (done)

• Culvert Basics• Information on fish swimming

basics and biology

• How culvert structures are designed and meet fish passage requirements

• Mixing engineering and biology• Regulatory requirements• Risk Management • Where we are going from here

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Lessons already learned and to keep in mind:

• Biologists and engineers can work together

• Everybody needs a basic understanding of fish passage and hydraulics

• Cross-change of information is vital

• Have fun!

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