Protecting larval fish at water intakes: hydraulic and biological evidence for the effectiveness of modern fish-protection screens.

ABSTRACT: Water intakes entrain large numbers of fish larvae in waterways where drift coincides with large-scale extraction. While modern fish-protection screens can reduce these losses, many are not designed for larvae and were developed or evaluated primarily for juveniles and adults. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Australia's fish screen design criteria (which specify a maximum approach velocity of 0.1 m s-¹ and slot widths of 2-3 mm) for protecting drifting larval Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii). Larvae were tested in a large flume under combinations of approach velocity (0.1 or 0.2 m s-¹), slot width (2 or 3 mm), and proximity. Entrainment rose sharply with velocity; slot size had a smaller interactive effect. The most protective combination (0.1 m s-¹ and 2 mm) reduced entrainmen

SUBMITTER: Ashley Boys C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12755069 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature