White Sturgeon Use of the Brilliant Tailwater Area (2008 to 2013) and the Arrow Lakes Hydro Project Tailwater and Forebay Areas
Author: Golder Associates Ltd
Part 1: White Sturgeon Use of the Brilliant Tailwater Area The objectives of the work reported here were: 1) to assess whether post-commissioning use of the study area by White Sturgeon has remained consistent with use prior to BRX development; 2) to monitor White Sturgeon movements within the lower Kootenay River and use these data to determine seasonal use patterns and the importance of the area for feeding and overwintering relative to other available habitats in the mainstem Columbia River; 3) to determine how operations of BRD and BRX affect White Sturgeon use of the BRD tailwater area; and, 4) to determine White Sturgeon use of Kootenay Eddy in relation to water depth. Part 2: White Sturgeon Use of the Arrow Lakes Hydro Project Forebay and Tailwater Areas This study examined White Sturgeon use of the forebay and tailwater area associated with the Arrow Lakes Hydro (ALH) generating station. The study period for the ALH study was January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. The objectives were: 1) to provide a general assessment of the use of the ALH forebay and tailwater areas by acoustic-tagged White Sturgeon; and, 2) to conduct range tests to determine if the receiver location in the ALH forebay area provides adequate coverage of the area.
Based on the presence of White Sturgeon in the Brilliant tailwater area during a wide range of discharges, this species is apparently capable of using the area at any time of the year. The reason for using the area is likely mainly related to feeding. The highest rates of tagged fish detection and video sightings both occurred in the summer and early fall, which coincides with the period of greatest feeing activity for the species.
The highest use of the ALH tailwater area was recorded in April. The period of highest use was February to May, followed by September to October. Periods of low or zero use were June to August, and November to January. Use of the ALH forebay area by acoustic-tagged White Sturgeon was low during the study.
For full results, see report.
Based on the presence of White Sturgeon in the Brilliant tailwater area during a wide range of discharges, this species is apparently capable of using the area at any time of the year. The reason for using the area is likely mainly related to feeding. The highest rates of tagged fish detection and video sightings both occurred in the summer and early fall, which coincides with the period of greatest feeing activity for the species.
The highest use of the ALH tailwater area was recorded in April. The period of highest use was February to May, followed by September to October. Periods of low or zero use were June to August, and November to January. Use of the ALH forebay area by acoustic-tagged White Sturgeon was low during the study.
For full results, see report.
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Additional Info
Study Years: 2013, 2012
Published: 2014
White Sturgeon Use of the Brilliant Tailwater Area (2008 to 2013) and the Arrow Lakes Hydro Project Tailwater and Forebay Areas
Author: Golder Associates Ltd
Tags: Acipenser Transmontanus, Arrow Lakes Hydro Generating Station, Brilliant Dam, Brilliant DamExpansion, Columbia River, Fish Habitat, Forebay, Habitat Use, Monitoring Recommendation, Tailwater, Telemetry, White Sturgeon
Part 1: White Sturgeon Use of the Brilliant Tailwater Area
The objectives of the work reported here were:
1) to assess whether post-commissioning use of the study area by White Sturgeon has remained consistent with use prior to BRX development;
2) to monitor White Sturgeon movements within the lower Kootenay River and use these data to determine seasonal use patterns and the importance of the area for feeding and overwintering relative to other available habitats in the mainstem Columbia River;
3) to determine how operations of BRD and BRX affect White Sturgeon use of the BRD tailwater area; and,
4) to determine White Sturgeon use of Kootenay Eddy in relation to water depth.
Part 2: White Sturgeon Use of the Arrow Lakes Hydro Project Forebay and Tailwater Areas
This study examined White Sturgeon use of the forebay and tailwater area associated with the Arrow Lakes Hydro (ALH) generating station. The study period for the ALH study was January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. The objectives were:
1) to provide a general assessment of the use of the ALH forebay and tailwater areas by acoustic-tagged White Sturgeon; and,
2) to conduct range tests to determine if the receiver location in the ALH forebay area provides adequate coverage of the area.
Summary
Based on the presence of White Sturgeon in the Brilliant tailwater area during a wide range of discharges, this species is apparently capable of using the area at any time of the year. The reason for using the area is likely mainly related to feeding. The highest rates of tagged fish detection and video sightings both occurred in the summer and early fall, which coincides with the period of greatest feeing activity for the species.
The highest use of the ALH tailwater area was recorded in April. The period of highest use was February to May, followed by September to October. Periods of low or zero use were June to August, and November to January. Use of the ALH forebay area by acoustic-tagged White Sturgeon was low during the study.
For full results, see report.