Science Response 2016/048

Review of Long Term Monitoring results from small hydro projects to Verify Impacts of Instream Flow Diversion on Fish and Fish Habitat

Context

Innergex Inc. (Proponent) owns a number of small hydro projects in British Columbia that divert water from streams through an intake and penstock to a powerhouse downstream. This subjects the diversion reach between the intake and powerhouse to reduced water flows which may have an impact on fish and fish habitat.  Ecofish Research Ltd. has submitted a summary analysis of 5-year Long Term Monitoring results from six small hydro projects in southwestern BC owned by Innergex. The summary report includes results of monitoring salmonid populations, invertebrates, water quality and habitat conditions.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) is requesting Science Branch review the Long Term Monitoring Program Summary Report 2010-2014 (Innergex Renewable Energy Inc, 2015), and supporting correspondence. This review will assess the adequacy and evaluate the conclusions of the Long Term Monitoring Program Summary Report with respect to the monitoring of rainbow trout populations and invertebrates.  The advice arising from this Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Science Response will assist in FPP’s ongoing responses and guidance provided to the proponent of this and similar small hydro projects in the future.

The Science Response will address these objectives:

1. Assess the adequacy of the data and review methods used to evaluate the effects of flow diversion on rainbow trout populations, and identify gaps.
2. Assess the adequacy of the data and review methods used to evaluate the effects of flow diversion on invertebrates and identify gaps.
3. Evaluate whether the conclusions reached by the Proponent are adequately supported by data and analyses in the Long Term Monitoring report, and amended analyses dated 28 October 2015.
4. Identify key uncertainties, and describe consequences to conclusions of the report and for the monitoring of similar projects.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of August 2016 on the Review of Long Term Monitoring results from small hydro projects to Verify Impacts of Instream Flow Diversion on Fish and Fish Habitat.

Complete document (PDF, 146  KB)

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