CURRENT STATE AND OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE UST-MANYCH FISH PASSAGE CHANNELS

Abstract

Purpose: to assess the state and operating conditions of the fish passage channels of the Ust-Manych waterworks on the river Western Manych. Materials and methods. The factual basis for assessing the state and operating conditions of the Ust-Manych fish passage channels was the materials of the author’s survey and field studies performed at the given facility in 2022. The studies were carried out according to generally accepted methods for conducting hydrometric measurements of flow rate parameters and geometric dimensions of channels and network (“canal”) hydraulic structures. Results and discussion. The survey data of structures and elements of two fish passage and spawning channels operating as part of the Ust-Manych waterworks, designated for passing semi-anadromous fish from its tail race to the head race - from the mouth of the river Western Manych to the Ust-Manych flood plain which is a potentially highly productive spawning ground for phytophils (bream, pike perch, carp and ram). The channel hydrometric parameters are given, a description of the structures included in their composition, ensuring the functioning of structures and structural elements or influencing it is given. The characteristics of the water flow on the structures and along the canal tract, as well as on the site of the conjugation of the canal mouth with the river are given. Estimated qualitative and quantitative indicators of the conditions for fish channel functioning are given. Conclusions. The survey data of the current state of structures and structural elements of two fish passage channels arranged around the Ust-Manych waterworks retaining structures were obtained. The hydrometric (flow-rate and geometric) channel parameters are given, and an assessment of the quality of their operating conditions on spawning-migratory fish passage from the river Western Manych to the spawning grounds located in the channel basin of the Ust-Manych waterworks is made.

Keywords

• waterworks
• fish passage facility
• fishway
• fish passage channel
• channel-fish passage