Placement of spawning gravel in the river

Introduction

File:Spawning gravel eggs.jpg

Figure 1: Salmon eggs in gravel.

Figure 2:

Figure 3: Excavator placing spawning gravel in a river.

River regulations often change the natural flow regime and the sediment connectivity, introducing changes to the substrate composition both in the bypass section and downstream the outlet of the hydropower plant. This is often leading to a reduction in magnitude, frequency and duration of floods that impact the substrate composition, typically leading to fine materials clogging the substrate and possibly creating an armoured layer. An armoured layer will inhibit the spawning of fish species laying their eggs in the substrate, potentially reducing the number of eggs deposited in the substrate, increasing the predation and possibly also reducing the survival of eggs, e.g. due to low oxygen levels in the hyporheic zone. As such, the areas supporting spawning can be reduced due to regulation and hence represent a limiting factor ('bottleneck') for the fish population. The grain size distribution of the spawning gravel to be placed in the river must be correct for the species of concern. The spawning fish should be able to dig and lay their egg in the added gravel. Fine sediments should not be able to clog the gravel. The shape of the stones should be similar to the natural conditions in the river, and sharp-edged stones from blasting, often available close to a hydropower projects, should only be used if considered appropriate for the species of concern. If the gravel is not sufficiently 'clean', it should be washed prior to deposition in the river to avoid particle pollution and possibly increased clogging downstream. Before placement of spawning gravel in the river is made, the hydraulic conditions where the spawning gravel is placed must be investigated. The gravel must be located in a part of the river that does not dry out during low flow conditions, in areas with sufficient through-flow of fresh, oxygen-rich water to the eggs, and in areas that are not exposed to out-wash/flushing during high flow and flood events. This measure has been implemented in several rivers in Norway (Pulg et al 2017). It is a fairly inexpensive measure to introduce, it stimulates the natural population and seems to achieve very good results in all rivers it has been used.

Methods, tools, and devices

During planning

A first step in considering placement of spawning gravel as a measure would be to assess if the total and distribution of spawning areas are limiting the development of fish population, i.e. diagnosis in the environmental design terminology. The spawning areas are often assessed by visual inspection of the river, i.e. by foot beside the river, by wading or from boat. Aerial photos can also in some cases assist this step. When the spawning areas are identified, they can be mapped in a GIS and the total area and their distribution assessed. For Atlantic salmon, spawning areas are considered being large if more than 10% of the total river has suitable spawning conditions, moderate if between 1-10% and small if less than 1% (Forseth and Harby 2013). The distribution/spread is considered large if more than 500 meters between identified spawning areas, medium if between 200-500 meters, and small if less than 200 meters. These threshold values are considered indicative for Atlantic salmon, but they may be different for other fish species.

Table 1: A system for an overall classification of spawning habitat for Atlantic salmon (Forseth and Harby 2013).

		Extent of spawning habitat as a percentage of river area
		Small (<1%)	Moderate (1-10%)	Large (>10%)
Distance between spawning habitats (across all segments)	Large (>500m)	Small	Small	Moderate
	Medium (200-500m)	Small	Moderate	Large
	Small (<200m)	Moderate	Large	Large

Hydraulic analysis can support the identification of the best location to place the spawning gravel, in order to meet the preferences of the fish of concern. For typical gravel spawners, it is recommended to avoid locations with too slow-flowing water and areas exposed to flushing during high flow conditions.

A high number of hydro-dynamic and hydro-morphodynamic tools are available for such analysis with different functionality and data needs, ranging from more simplistic 1-dimensional (1D) hydraulic tools, to highly advanced 3-dimensional (3D) tools solving a range of partial differential equations (Navier-Stokes equations) in all directions. They all require detailed description of the bottom topography of the areas the gravel might be placed, and the flow regime the river will be subject to. As average flow velocities will not be sufficiently detailed to identify the best locations, 2D- or 3D models will be required. Examples of such models are River2D, HEC-RAS 2D, Flo2D/3D, Mike21c, OpenFoam and Telemac 2D and 3D (see Chapter 9.1 for references).

During implementation

The implementation of the measure would require access to substrate of suitable grain size distribution, shape and of proper mineral composition, preferably similar to the substrate naturally present in spawning areas. In order to transport and place the new material at the right locations in the river, heavy machinery such as dumpers and tractors would be needed. In case where the site is difficult to access, use of helicopters can be the best option. The dumping of the substrate in the river would normally require supervision of a biologist, hydraulician or another experienced person in order to secure the right positioning of the substrate, proper thickness of substrate layer and finish of the surface preparation.

The construction work will often require use of heavy machinery. Depending on the location of the river and how accessible it is and the costs, the transport of gravel will typically be made by dumper or by helicopter. If helicopter is used, the gravel can normally be dumped directly into the river, under the supervision of a biologist or another experienced person. If the new material is transported into the site by dumpers, an excavator will normally be needed at the site. This will also require the presence of an experienced person in order to ensure the correct placement and thickness of the gravel.

The implementation of the measures, i.e. dumping of the gravel, should be made in a time of the year where the fish population of the concern, and the rest of the ecosystem in the river will be least affected by the construction work. This will be individual to the different rivers and species. In addition, the hydrology of the river must be taken into consideration as it is clearly easier to carry out the work during low-flow conditions than during floods. For Scandinavia and species like salmon and trout, the period from July to September is probably the least problematic.

During operation

Habitat measures in regulated rivers must often be maintained unless the natural functions related to flow and sediments are restored, such as flood events and connectivity of the sediments. How often the maintenance must be made will differ from river to river and can vary from for instance every 5 years to every 20 years. Rivers with intense growth of moss, algae and macrophytes would need more frequent maintenance than rivers with cold water and low nutrient concentrations (less growth).

Classification Table

Assessment criteria	Assessment
Fish species measure designed for	Atlantic salmon (salmo salar) Trout (salmo trutta)
Which life-stage of fish is measure aimed at?	Spawning
Which physical parameter mitigated?	Substrate
Section in the regulated system measure designed for	Bypass section Upstream of hydropower plant Downstream outlet
River type implemented in	Gravel-bed rivers
Climatic region suitable for	C: Temperate (mesothermal) climates D: Continental (microthermal) climates E: Polar and alpine (montane) climates
Level of certainty in effect	Very certain
Technology readiness level (maturity)	TRL9: actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)