FISH PASSAGE THROUGH CULVERTS IN MONTANA: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
The objective of this report is to combine, in one document, previously reported information on factors influencing fish passage through culverts, especially as it pertains to conditions indicative of Montana. First, the need for considering fish passage is discussed, followed by an investigation of biological, hydrologic and hydraulic criteria influencing fish passage. An integration of biological and hydraulic criteria is presented, as is a review of previous studies conducted in Montana. Recommendations for future research are also presented. The major biological criteria influencing fish passage are species and size of fish, jumping ability, and seasonal feeding and spawning migrations as related to the hydrologic regime of the stream requiring a culvert crossing. In general, salmonid species and healthy adult fish are the strongest swimmers and spawning is the major reason fish migrate. The main culvert features preventing fish passage include: a perched outlet, too great a velocity, too shallow a depth, or too long a distance between resting pools. The major hydraulic criteria influencing fish passage are: flow rates during fish migration periods; and type, roughness, length and slope of the culvert. In general, the optimum design for peak flow conveyance, a smooth pipe flowing full, will not meet fish passage criteria at any discharge. Fish size appears to have little influence on ability to negotiate a culvert despite its effect on swimming performance. One theory is that smaller fish utilize regions of low velocity near the culvert wall. Multiple possibilities for future research to better characterize fish passage are listed. Examples include better characterization of velocity gradients within culverts and evaluation of fish swimming performance for poorly characterized Montana species.
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
Montana State University, Bozeman
Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Bozeman, MT United States 59717Montana Department of Transportation
2701 Prospect Avenue
P.O. Box 201001
Helena, MT United States 59620-1001Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Tillinger, T N
- Stein, O R
- Publication Date: 1996-2
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References;
- Pagination: 54 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Culverts; Design; Environmental impacts; Fish ladders; Future; Hydraulics; Hydrology; Living things; Research
- Uncontrolled Terms: Design features; Fish passage; Future research
- Old TRIS Terms: Biological factors; Culvert hydraulics
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Research; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00720191
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/MT-96/8117-2
- Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Apr 16 1996 12:00AM