Atlantic Salmon Smolt Movement and Behavior at Vernon Hydroelectric Station

by Douglas D. Royer, RMC Environmental Services Inc, Drumore, United States,
Brian N. Hanson, RMC Environmental Services Inc, Drumore, United States,
Milton R. Anderson, RMC Environmental Services Inc, Drumore, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '91: A New View of Hydro Resources

Abstract:

Behavior of emigrating Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar) was studied at New England Power Company's (NEP) Vernon Hydroelectric Station located on the Connecticut River, Vernon, VT, to determine smolt travel time for 50 km from Bellows Fall to Vernon, approach routes, residency periods, and exit routes at the station. Some 35.6% of 122 radio tagged smolts were detected at Vernon Dam after release. Most approached the station from the eastern side of the river. Residency times of smolts ranged from <1 min to 5 days. Of the known exit routes of 40 smolts, 42.9% utilized open tainter gates, 21.4% passed through a log/ice sluiceway, and the remaining 30.9% passed through turbines. Data indicate smolts are attracted to surface spills or overflows.

Subject Headings: Power plants | Hydro power | Water intakes | Travel patterns | Rivers and streams | Fish and fishery management | Turbines | United States | New England | Connecticut

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