The Influence of Dams on River Fisheries

Moderators: Shawn Alam, Don Jackson, Susan O’Brien, and Clark Hubbs
Emails: shawn_alam@ios.doi.gov; susan.obrien@ferc.gov; djackson@cfr.msstate.edu; and hubbs@mail.utexas.edu

Date: Wednesday, September 14 and Thursday, September 15, 2005
Time: 8:00 am to 5:40 pm Wed., and 8:00 am to 5:40 pm Thur.
Location: Egan 11-12

This symposium will present an overview of the process for a hydropower licensing and the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in safeguarding the environment. The FERC ensures that operations of non-federal hydropower projects protect and reduce/mitigate impacts on fish and its habitat under numerous regulations, established in the Federal Power Act (FPA). Many environmental impacts can be significantly reduced by changing operations of the dam. For example, installing fish passage facilities can reduce impacts on migratory fish; and converting a dam from peaking to “run-of-river” operation can ensure the natural flow of the river remains undisturbed and can adapt the hydropower facility to the unique conditions of each river system. A better understanding of the effects on river fishery has been pursued by performing laboratory studies of the biological response of fish to physical stress; developing new instruments and monitoring technologies to measure the physical conditions in the field; and applying advanced computational techniques to describe the full range of hydraulic environments under different operating conditions. The objective of this symposium is to bring together fishery research biologists, state and federal regulators and resource managers, and representatives of the hydropower industry to exchange knowledge and ideas. This symposium presents an opportunity to enhance the application of fisheries science to the area of environmental management. We will first present the regulatory perspective for hydropower licensing and fish passage under the FPA. Speakers then will present topics ranging from economics of dam removal, fish passage, management of associated modified rivers and reservoirs, and case studies of dam removal and river restoration projects.

Link to list of presentations in this symposium on Wednesday
Link to list of presentations in this symposium on Thursday