Hydrodynamics on Distributions of Delta Smelt · Effects of turbidity on freshwater fishes is...
Transcript of Hydrodynamics on Distributions of Delta Smelt · Effects of turbidity on freshwater fishes is...
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Effects of Turbidity and
Hydrodynamics on
Distributions of Delta Smelt Peter E. Smith, USGS, ret.
Tues, Apr 17, 2012, 2012 CWEMF Annual Meeting
Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, CA
Juvenile cod and mysid Juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
prey in turbid water in turbid water
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A Few Comments About
Turbidity
• Turbidity (also referred to as water clarity) is an optical property of water that causes the scattering and absorption of light mainly by suspended sediment, dissolved organic matter, and plankton.
• In the Delta, turbidity is affected most by suspended sediment.
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A Few Comments About
Turbidity (cont’d)
• Levels of turbidity can fluctuate with natural events such as large inflows, wind, human activity (dredging, for example), and local runoff from rain.
• In the Delta, turbidity levels are often highest during the “first flush” of winter.
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Turbidity and Fish Behavior
• Behavioral rather than physiological effects in estuaries.
• Effects of turbidity on freshwater fishes is relatively well known, but little is know about the effects on marine and estuarine species. Among freshwater fishes there is fairly clear evidence that turbidity can play a significant role in distributions of fish (mostly diel horizontal migrations in shallow lakes).
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Turbidity and Fish Behavior
(cont’d) • Reduced turbidity may lead to migration
(movement) to other habitats.
• The ability of both predator and prey to detect each other can be affected by turbidity.
• Turbidity can act as cover for small fish and reduce predation risk.
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Turbidity and Fish Behavior
(cont’d) • In areas of low background turbidity, small
increases in turbidity can enhance feeding of larval fish by increasing prey contrast. (A similar visual effect is evident when viewing a nearly object in thick fog.)
• Turbidity should decrease feeding rates for piscivorous fish (fish that eat other fish), which feed on larger more visible prey and increase (or decrease less) the feeding rate for particle-feeding planktivorous fish (fish that eat plankton).
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Contrast and Fog Photography
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Contrast and Fog Photography
(cont’d)
The scattering of light that occurs in the atmosphere due to thick
fog gives nearby objects more contrast and distant objects less
contrast; nearby objects appear sharper and distant objects
appear lighter and less visible. The apparent depth between
near and far objects is enhanced.
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Vernalis
Suspended Sediment
Turbidity
Long-Term
Monitoring
Stations
(since 1960)
(since Mar
1988)
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Map of North Delta
Tract Franks
lu
Delta Cross Channel
Mokelumne River
boa
t
Slough Cache
Lib
ert
y I
s.
North Delta
Little Potato Slough
During the first flush, sediment load from the Sacramento River enters the central Delta from the mouth of the Mokelumne R. via Georgiana Sl.
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Map of North Delta
Tract Franks
lu
Delta Cross Channel
Mokelumne River
boa
t
Slough Cache
Lib
ert
y I
s.
North Delta
Little Potato Slough
If the DCC is left open, 150 percent more sediment load is diverted.
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Jan-Feb Mean turbidity Spring Midwater Trawl
January turbidity Spring Midwater Trawl
1993
1994
The difference
between a
wet and dry
winter can be
dramatic
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We learned in 2010 that there can be significant turbidity
gradients in the south Delta during first flush
Tidally averaged
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During first flush there can also be significant tidal variations
in turbidity
San Joaquin River at Prisoner’s Point
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Turbidity and Delta Smelt
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Probability of Catching Delta
Smelt
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Turbidity vs Delta Smelt Salvage
Delta Smelt
1993-2005, Dec-Mar
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Salvage, OMR Flows, and South Delta Turbidity
Note: Delta smelt population size, SJR flow, and XGEO also can affect the magnitude of winter salvage
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Adult Delta Smelt Salvage and FMWT Index
Total Delta Smelt Adult Salvage (WY Dec-Mar)
Fall Midwater Trawl Index for Delta Smelt
Adult
Salvage,
In fish
Delta Smelt
FMWT
Delta Smelt
Index for
No
in
de
x
59,400 fish
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Typical Change in Delta Smelt and Turbidity Distributions
from Fall to Winter during a POD Year
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WY 2002
Date of SKT Survey 1
Jan 7-10, 2002 SKT Survey 1
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Water Year 1981
8,630 cfs
5,410 cfs
729 tons/day
1,270 tons/day
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Unusual conditions
during fall 1980 in
which the south
Delta is more turbid
than the Sacramento
River.
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Fall 1980 Delta Smelt Map
zoomed in
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End