Design of Fish Screen Facilities at River Intakes

The purpose of a fish screen is to avoid fish from being entrained into intakes for irrigation, water supply or hydro power.  Over 75% of our native freshwater fish are at risk or endangered.  Recent audits by Environment Canterbury have shown that less than 5% of existing screens are compliant with modern standards and in many intakes there are no fish screens.

This one-day workshop will introduce information about freshwater fish and their behavior, consenting and planning requirements and good practice in the design of fish screens.  River intakes require a number of functions which include flow control, flood protection, management of sediment and debris, safety of river users and operators and social and cultural needs.  A fish screen needs to be integrated within the overall design of an intake so an understanding of the interactions between these functions is a key part of the design process.

The workshop will provide information related to the design process and review some existing examples of fish screens.  Then using the information and examples provided we will work through some real examples from sites that need a fish screen and ones that require an existing screen replaced.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Explain the key requirements of a fish screen facility for different species and life stages of fish.
• Explain the processes of design of a fish screen and how to integrate it within other functions at a river intake.
• Identify which areas of design work will require input and advice from other experts.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for those who work in the area of freshwater management inclduding engineers, planners, ecologists, regulatory authorities and stakeholder groups interested in protection of freshwater fish

Format

Initially information will be provided to participants about freshwater fish and the design of fish screens.  Then using example projects, principles and concepts of fish screen design will be explained, then applied by participants in some sample projects.  This will lead to further discussions with support from the facilitator. We will discuss common issues and challenges experienced at many sites and potential approaches to address these.

Presenter Information

Paul Morgan has over 25 years experience as an engineer working on a range of water projects in NZ and the UK in the areas of hydro power, irrigation, rivers and river intakes.  Over the last 15 years he has worked on fish screen projects and has also been on study tours to the USA and Australia, attended international conferences related to fish and attended many webinars about the protection of fish.  He is the only Engineering Consultant on the Fish Screen Working Group based in Canterbury and has worked on over 50 fish screen sites including assessment of screens, consenting, design, construction and operation of fish screens.  He is one of the authors of recent report for MPI entitled “Toward national guidance for fish screen facilities to ensure safe passage for freshwater fishes”.

Phil Jellyman from NIWA is also a guest presenter.