Performance Assessment of Oversized Culvert to Accommodate Fish Passage
Principal Investigator:
John Nieber, Professor, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engr
Project Summary:
Since 1991, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has been installing recessed culverts at road crossings to allow for the passage of fish and to correct issues related to steeper slopes. It is believed that recessed culverts, if designed and installed correctly, can help reduce maintenance costs, improve fish passage, and improve overall stream health (physical and biological). This practice allows the natural channel sediments to accumulate in the culvert, which helps reduce the flow velocity through the culvert. These recessed culverts are being installed regularly on public water courses but have not been properly assessed to determine if they are functioning as intended. In this project, researchers will (1) conduct a literature review on the hydraulics of fish passage crossings and the potential effect of such crossings on stream hydraulics for Upper Midwest conditions, and (2) collect data at a series of sites around the state containing oversized culverts and analyze these data to assess whether the installations are performing in a satisfactory manner.
Sponsors:
Project Details:
- Start date: 08/2009
- Project Status: Active
- Research Area: Planning and Environment
- Topics: Environment