Upstream and Downstream Passage of American Eels at the Medway Project, Penobscot River, Maine Scott...

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Upstream and Downstream PassageUpstream and Downstream Passageof American Eels at theof American Eels at the

Medway Project, Penobscot River, MaineMedway Project, Penobscot River, Maine

Scott HallScott Hall——————————————————————————

PPL Maine, LLCPPL Maine, LLC

Milford, MaineMilford, Maine

Steve ShepardSteve Shepard————————————————————————————

Aquatic Science Associates, Inc.Aquatic Science Associates, Inc.

Brewer, MaineBrewer, Maine

FERC Fish Passage Workshop, 13 Nov. 2003, Holden, Mass.

Medway ProjectMedway Project

Located in Medway at the mouth of the West Located in Medway at the mouth of the West Branch, Penobscot River.Branch, Penobscot River.

Fifth dam on river at ~ 60 miles from the mouth.Fifth dam on river at ~ 60 miles from the mouth.

3.4 MW capacity at 19 ft. of head.3.4 MW capacity at 19 ft. of head. 3,450 cfs maximum hydraulic capacity.3,450 cfs maximum hydraulic capacity. Uses 2,000 cfs minimum flow from the West Uses 2,000 cfs minimum flow from the West

Branch Project (Great Lakes Energy).Branch Project (Great Lakes Energy). No anadromous fish passage to West Branch.No anadromous fish passage to West Branch. New license granted in 1999.New license granted in 1999.

General Plan View of Medway Dam

Downstream BypassDownstream Bypass

Bypass is located at the end of the spillway, Bypass is located at the end of the spillway, adjacent to the forebayadjacent to the forebay

Uses existing gate and stop logs in the top Uses existing gate and stop logs in the top half of the water columnhalf of the water column

15 cfs bypass flow15 cfs bypass flow Six foot deep weir openingSix foot deep weir opening Bell mouth weir shape to provide a velocity Bell mouth weir shape to provide a velocity

transitiontransition

Downstream Passage EvaluationsDownstream Passage Evaluations

Video monitoring conducted in 2002Video monitoring conducted in 2002

Video and trapping in 2003Video and trapping in 2003

Video monitoring conducted in 2002Video monitoring conducted in 2002– Reflective background usedReflective background used– Infrared lighting and supplemental red lightInfrared lighting and supplemental red light– Tested with drogues Tested with drogues – Real-time recording in six hour blocksReal-time recording in six hour blocks– Monitored from August through mid-NovemberMonitored from August through mid-November

Video monitoring conducted in 2002Video monitoring conducted in 2002– Reflective background used.Reflective background used.

– Infrared lighting and supplemental red light.Infrared lighting and supplemental red light.

– Tested with drogues.Tested with drogues.

– Real-time recording in six hour blocks.Real-time recording in six hour blocks.

– Monitored from August through mid-November.Monitored from August through mid-November.

Video and trapping in 2003Video and trapping in 2003– Paired video & trapping to assess video Paired video & trapping to assess video

effectiveness.effectiveness.– An historic weir fishery indicated run timing in An historic weir fishery indicated run timing in

August and September.August and September.

Trapping Set-Trapping Set-Up in 2003Up in 2003

Downstream Results Summary Downstream Results Summary (preliminary)(preliminary)

Video monitoring was not effective. – Optimal lighting is very difficult.

– Turbulence obscures parts of the field of view.

– Rapid passage is the major problem.

Video monitoring was not effective.

– Optimal lighting is very difficult.

Trapping was an effective monitoring method.

– Debris and high tailwater caused some problems.

– Only a few days were trapped in 2003.

Video monitoring was not effective.

– Optimal lighting is very difficult.

Trapping was an effective monitoring method.

– Debris and high tailwater caused problems.

– Very few days were trapped in 2003.

Downstream migrants are using the bypass.

Typical eels trapped in 2003Typical eels trapped in 2003

Upstream Passage Upstream Passage EvaluationEvaluation

GoalsGoals– Determine run timing.Determine run timing.– Document typical size of migrant eels.Document typical size of migrant eels.– Assess migratory behavior with respect Assess migratory behavior with respect

to physical features of the dam.to physical features of the dam.– Design an upstream fishway and Design an upstream fishway and

operating plan for the site.operating plan for the site.

MethodsMethods– Night observations.Night observations.– Trapping.Trapping.

Upstream Passage Study AreaUpstream Passage Study Area

<5 6 8

Size Category (inches)

2002 Size Distribution of Migrant 2002 Size Distribution of Migrant EelsEels

Seasonal Timing of Medway Eel MigrationSeasonal Timing of Medway Eel Migration

29-May 8-Jun 18-Jun 28-Jun 8-Jul 18-Jul 28-Jul

Upstream Passage SummaryUpstream Passage Summary

Nearly all migrant eels were associated Nearly all migrant eels were associated with “staging” locations.with “staging” locations.

Several sizes/ages of eels are active at Medway.Several sizes/ages of eels are active at Medway.

Only the smallest eels are currently able to climb wetted Only the smallest eels are currently able to climb wetted surfaces and pass the dam.surfaces and pass the dam.

Very small amounts of spill inhibit passage over wetted Very small amounts of spill inhibit passage over wetted surfaces.surfaces.

There were no obvious effects from ambient light.There were no obvious effects from ambient light.

Migratory activity was not observed until early to mid-June Migratory activity was not observed until early to mid-June

at temperatures above 18 Celsius.at temperatures above 18 Celsius.

Upstream Passage Study AreaUpstream Passage Study Area

Nearly all migrant eels were associated with “staging” Nearly all migrant eels were associated with “staging” locations.locations.

Several sizes/ages of eels are active at Several sizes/ages of eels are active at Medway.Medway.

Only the smallest eels are currently able to Only the smallest eels are currently able to climb wetted surfaces and pass the dam.climb wetted surfaces and pass the dam.

Very small amounts of spill inhibit Very small amounts of spill inhibit passage over wetted surfaces.passage over wetted surfaces.

Migratory activity was not observed until early to Migratory activity was not observed until early to mid-June at temperatures above 18 Celsius.mid-June at temperatures above 18 Celsius.

Upstream and Downstream Passage of American Eels at the Medway Project, Penobscot River, Maine Scott...

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