Adult sea lamprey respond to induced turbulence in a low current system

Abstract

Manipulation of water velocities and turbulence using pumps, propellers, or jets is a promising alternative to physical water control structures to guide fish towards traps or fishways. Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are a species of concern in much of their native and invasive ranges, and their improved guidance could benefit management actions for both conservation and control. The flow velocity enhancement system (FVES), an emergent technology that uses a Venturi pump to generate a plume of turbulence, has shown promise guiding downstream migrating fish in slow-moving or static water conditions formed by large reservoirs, but is untested for guidance of upstream swimming fish in low current environments. The FVES had minimal impact on depth averaged velocity profiles, but produced elevated levels of turbulence. Changes in spatial distribution and number of turns suggest sea lamprey detect and are mildly attracted to turbulence induced by the FVES. These results demonstrate the potential of induced turbulence as a guidance mechanism for upstream migrating sea lamprey, but more extensive testing is needed to show the full utility of this approach.

Keywords:

• Turbulence
• induced
• Sea Lamprey
• guidance
• flow velocity enhancement system
• CFD

Acknowledgments

Bethany Alger, Brad Buechel, Tyler Bruning, Zac Wickert, and Max Becker from the United States Geological Survey and Jean Johnson from Natural Solutions – A Dam Site Better! LLC assisted with in-stream experiments. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC). Presque Isle County allowed use of the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center property for in-stream experiments. United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada provided sea lamprey.