Investigating the effectiveness of a fish-protection structure of the reclamation water intake

Abstract

The study was conducted at the reclamation water intake facility of Tikhovsky hydroelectric complex. We used data from long-term observations and results of laboratory studies on a 1:20 scale physical model of the Zapan fish protection device. The effectiveness of the model was evaluated using simulators of juvenile fish. Increasing the efficiency of the Zapan fish protection facility is achieved by additional placement in the bottom threshold, which directs the bottom flow along with the young fish to the springboard, where there is an airlift in the form of a bubble curtain that lifts the young along the springboard into the fish-receiving holes of permeable shields. Fish protection design and location in the middle of the water stream do not create a backwater due to low resistance and provide protection for young fish. This increases not only the survival rate of young fish, but also the efficiency of reclamation water intakes. A new design of a fish protection structure for reclamation water intakes of the Zapan type was developed, which provides a fish protection effect of 3 groups of young fish formed by their swimming ability, which allowed determining the size of the elements of the fish protection structure.