Ethohydraulic

Fish that move with a comparatively high speed within a large radius are difficult to observe. This, in combination with the constantly changing environmental conditions and often dangerous conditions near hydraulic engineering installations, results in data gaps in the knowledge about the biology of fish and lampreys. To close the gap, the Institut für angewandte Ökologie GmbH in cooperation with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Boris Lehmann, the internationally recognized discipline “ethohydraulics”. Under laboratory conditions in large-scale model flumes, fish are confronted with hydraulic and constructive situations comparable to which take place in natural water bodies. The goal of these investigations is to understand the physical abilities, reactions and behavioral patterns of fish, as an answer to the presented situation. This knowledge is important for the development of up- and downstream migration facilities and fish protection systems as well as for the conception of ecologically compatible hydraulic engineering interventions.

Ethohydraulic model flume at the Technical University of Darmstadt

More information

Knowledge gained through ethohydraulic investigations form an important basis for the development of i. a. the function of up- and downstream migration facilities and fish protection systems as well as for the conception of ecologically compatible hydraulic engineering interventions.

Reference projects

Influence of light on the behavior of fish.
Behavior of fish in front of inclined screens for fish protection.
Movement patterns of Chinese mitten crabs as a base for developing a deflection and deviation system.
Fish Behavior: Development of hydropower converter for very low head differences.
Development of an entrance construction for the monitoring facility at the double slot fish pass at the weir Geesthacht at the Elbe river.
Passage of fish trough slots.
Investigations on the substrate preferences of small fish species and specimen.
Functional evaluation of the Chan-Bar system, a new screen to protect downstream migrating fish.
Determination of the optimal entry position for a new fish pass on the weir Duisburg/Ruhrort at the river Ruhr.
Tests with a wedge wire screen for protection purposes.
Investigations on the impacts of electric fishing.
Effects of a 20 mm screen on descending fish, modelling the hydraulic situation at the Wahnhausen power plant at the river Fulda.
Biological and engineering fundaments for the design of sustainable fish passes for rhitral fish species.

Publications

ADAM, B. & D. APPELHOFF (2017): Ethohydraulik: Die Kunst, aufsteigende Fische am Kraftwerk abzuholen. - In: Heimerl, S. (Hrsg.): Biologische Durchgängigkeit von Fließgewässern, Wiesbaden (Springer-Vieweg), 103 - 110.

LEHMANN, B., B. ADAM, O. ENGLER & K. SCHNEIDER (2016): Ethohydraulische Untersuchungen zur Verbesserung des Fischschutzes an Wasserkraftanlagen. - BfN-Schriftenreihe Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt 151, 156 S.

ADAM, B., O. ENGLER & H. HUFGARD (2015): Zur Wirkung von Wasserrädern auf Fische. - Artenschutzreport 34, 7 - 12.

ADAM, B. & B. LEHMANN (2011): Ethohydraulik - Grundlagen, Methoden, Erkenntnisse. - Heidelberg (Springer-Verlag), 351 S.

LEHMANN, B., W. KAMPKE, U. SCHWEVERS, B. ADAM & C. LINDEMANN (2009): Ethohydraulik - eine Grundlage für naturschutzverträglichen Wasserbau. - www.dbu.de/ab/DBU-Abschlussbericht-AZ-25429.pdf