The University of Queensland

Designing effective fish-friendly waterway culverts: integration of hydrodynamics and swimming performance (2015–2019)

Abstract:

Man-made instream structures (e.g. dams and road crossings) have contributed to major declines in native fish numbers, with > 6,000 barriers to fish migration occurring in NSW alone. Recognising this, Fisheries NSW led the development of national guidelines for the design and construction of fish friendly road crossings. Unfortunately, these guidelines have little empirical backing. This project will integrate data on the swimming ability of Australian fish species with culvert hydrodynamic modelling to better understand fish requirements in and around road crossings. These data will strengthen national design guidelines and provide the tools engineers and planners need to balance fish migration with effective water management.

Grant type:

ARC Linkage Projects

Researchers:

• 

  Professor Craig Franklin

  President, Academic Board
  

  Office of the President of the Academic Board

• 

  Professor Hubert Chanson

  Professor
  

  School of Civil Engineering

  Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Funded by:

Australian Research Council