Fish Passage

The Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:

Fish Passage
Course ID: BIO-305 (1 day)
September 4, 2009 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
NWETC Headquarters
650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108

Instructor: Rocko A. Brown, MS, EIT, Hydrologist; Philip Williams and Associates
Joseph E. Merz, Ph.D. Principal Scientist, Cramer Fish Sciences

Registration | Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog | Course Brochure (PDF)

Our society is faced with one of the greatest challenges in ecological management, the projected extinction of viable anadromous salmonid populations by the end of the 21st century. Anadromous salmon and trout are not only key aspects of ecosystem function, but are vital aspects of our heritage, culture, economy, and health. As they utilize both freshwater and saltwater habitat, anadromous salmonids are concurrently subjected to the multiple stressors of an increasing human population, facing habitat degradation and destruction inland and over-fishing at sea.

Of the many stressors facing salmonids, one of the most profound and understated is human-caused barriers to their natural migration. On the west coast of the United States alone there are over 60,000 barriers to anadramous salmonid migration, blocking access to at least 50% of their historic range. In lieu of the multiple stressors leading to salmonid decline, re-establishing connectivity via fish passage improvement is one of the more feasible approaches for enhancing populations.

This workshop will introduce participants to the field of fish passage, a subsidiary of the broader stream restoration community drawing on a diverse array of traditional disciplines such as civil engineering, hydrology, geomorphology, biology, and ecology. The workshop will provide participants a working framework to approach fish passage projects, with a practical emphasis on lowhead (less than 10 meters) barriers at road crossings. We will cover several aspects of fish passage in this course, ranging from barrier assessment to design to construction.

The course will provide general training in:

1. History of Fish Passage and Context
An understanding of historical fish passage issues and the current status of fish passage is an important component of being an educated practicioner in the field of fish passage. For as long as humans have manipulated our environment there have been anthropogenic barriers to fish migration. At the present time anadromous salmoinds are continuing to decline to near extinction. There has however been recognition of the problem and a concerted effort to at attempt to open as much of their historic habitat as possible. This section will also cover the historical context of fish passage and some of the basic types of barriers.

2. Life Stage Needs
This section will discuss the hydraulic requirements for various life stages of salmonids. Maximum swim speeds and durations and minimum depths will be discussed along with temporal hydrologic and life history aspects of when fish passage is important.

3. Data Collection
This section will cover what information and data is needed to approach a fish passage problem. Participants will learn the basics of a stream reconnaissance and will become familiar with the many types of information needed in barrier assessment and design. They will gain an understanding of the basic sources of information and develop an understanding of typical data needs and priorities.

4. Geomorphic Reconnaissance
This section will give participants an understanding of how to develop an understanding of how geomorphic context factors in the fish passage. Participants will gain an understanding of the various channel types common in fish passage projects. We will also discuss integrating a broader landscape perspective into the design and assessment process.

5. Barrier Assessment
There are several types of barriers to anadramous salmonid migration including chemical and physical barriers. Physical barriers are the most common and include jump, depth, and velocity barriers. This section will discuss the basic types of barriers and the techniques used in assessment.

6. Design
This section will focus heavily on methods to achieve or improve fish passage that utilize natural and anthropogenic structural elements over both low and high head barriers. Natural design concepts such as roughened channels, step-pools, and riffle pools will be discussed with one working example. Anthropogenic structural element approaches such as vertical slot fishways, pool and weir fishways, and denil fishways will be discussed with one working example. Construction elements related to design will also be discussed.

7. Permitting and Possible Funding Sources
Permitting aspects of fish passage will be discussed, primarily for low head structures (i.e. non-hydropower dams). There will also be a discussion of potential funding sources.

Intended Audience: Designed for practitioners and agency personnel involved with field data collection, detailed design and/or review of river restoration projects, this course provides general training in design, implementation and monitoring of in-stream habitat improvement projects in regulated streams and rivers, with an emphasis on the issues surrounding Pacific salmonid spawning.

This course is preceded by: "The Ecology of Pacific Salmonids" led by Joe E. Merz August 31 - September 1 , 2009 and "Pacific Salmonid Habitat Restoration" led by Joe E. Merz September 2-3 , 2009. There is an additional discount that applies when registering for more than one course in the series.

Prerequisites: Suggested - "Pacific Salmonid Habitat Restoration"

About the Instructor: Rocko A. Brown, M.S., is an engineering geomorphologist/hydrologist with over 10 years of experience who has conducted a broad range of hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic analyses for environmental impact studies, aquatic habitat restoration projects, stormwater management projects, wetland restoration projects, channel bank stabilization, watershed restoration plans and hydraulic floodplain mapping. He completed his undergraduate degree at Temple University and his master’s degree at the University of California-Davis. He has extensive experience in hydraulic and sediment transport modeling and design for fish passage improvements, channel design, and bank stabilization. He is also proficient in Autocad, GIS, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software.

Course Materials: Attendees will receive a binder containing workshop proceedings and reference material.

Continuing Education Units: 0.65

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, notepad, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Coffee, tea, breakfast pastries, drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch on your own.

Registration: $250 (*$195 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). Additional discounts apply when registering for this course in conjunction with BIO-303 and BIO-304. You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. You may register via the registration link or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.