Optimized eel passage solutions

Hydropower supplies large-scale, renewable energy, but also causes river fragmentation. Fragmentation impact can be reduced by implementing two-way passage solutions suitable for naturally occurring fish. Most implemented passage solutions are designed for salmonids, while their performance for other species is unknown.

The critically endangered European eel differs substantially from salmonids in morphology and behavior, and passage solutions that perform well for both eel and salmonids are thereby likely efficient for most migratory fish in Sweden.

Passage efficiency depends on both species-specific and among-individual variation in responses to hydrodynamic conditions.

Our project therefore focuses on the importance of individual variation and hydrodynamics for the performance of up- and downstream passage solutions for eel, aiming for optimized eel passage with minimal impact on electricity generation.