Experimental and numerical investigation of three-dimensional turbulent flows for downstream migrating fish

The purpose of this research contract is to perform experimental and numerical investigations to understand the role of hydrodynamics, including turbulence and turbulence eddies, on bypass designs for downstream migrating fish. Fish passage efficiency and effectiveness for ways to divert or guide fish downstream at obstructions have varied for many species. This research aims to improve conditions for safer passage of fish through bypasses to minimize injury or mortality risks.

The work comprises of the following: a) conduct literature review, design and fabricate modified spillways and bar rack models; b) conduct three-component velocity measurements using a sophisticated stereoscopic particle image velocimetry system; c) perform comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of the velocity data to understand the hydrodynamics, turbulence characteristics and turbulence eddies; d) assess how changes in hydraulic conditions, especially flow acceleration, turbulence and eddies, affect swimming behavior and movement of downstream migrating fish, e) create repository of comprehensive benchmark databases to validate three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models for understanding the hydrodynamic conditions at bypass entrances which favour downstream fish migration, f) perform literature review to assess predictive performance of various computational fluid dynamics models, g) perform computational fluid dynamics analysis of turbulent flow over various spillway models.