Difference between revisions of "Entrainment"

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Smallmouth bass are less susceptible to entrainment in the winter because they are largely absent from the forebay at that time of year. As Lake Powell warms in the spring and summer, smallmouth bass move from the shallow bays into the mainstem areas of the reservoir [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (1)]. Additionally, as the reservoir elevations decline and the thermocline reaches penstock elevation, fish are brought into closer proximity to the intakes of the dam which increases the risk of entrainment [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (2)]. Also, in years with large inflows, the thermocline can reach deeper into the reservoir which also brings fish into closer proximity to the intakes and increases the risk of entrainment [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (3)], [[Media:Eppehimer_etal_2025_Declining_res_elevations_non-native_fish_passage_CJFAS.pdf|(4)]].  <br>
 
Smallmouth bass are less susceptible to entrainment in the winter because they are largely absent from the forebay at that time of year. As Lake Powell warms in the spring and summer, smallmouth bass move from the shallow bays into the mainstem areas of the reservoir [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (1)]. Additionally, as the reservoir elevations decline and the thermocline reaches penstock elevation, fish are brought into closer proximity to the intakes of the dam which increases the risk of entrainment [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (2)]. Also, in years with large inflows, the thermocline can reach deeper into the reservoir which also brings fish into closer proximity to the intakes and increases the risk of entrainment [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=etd2023 (3)], [[Media:Eppehimer_etal_2025_Declining_res_elevations_non-native_fish_passage_CJFAS.pdf|(4)]].  <br>
  
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How do you know if you are entraining smallmouth bass through the dam? Since smallmouth bass typically stay above the thermocline, any release when the thermocline is at or below penstock level is likely to be entraining bass and the warmer the release the higher the rate of entrainment. <br>
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How do you know if you are entraining smallmouth bass through the dam? Since smallmouth bass typically stay above the thermocline, any release when the thermocline is at or below penstock level is likely to be entraining bass and, as a gage, the warmer the release the higher the rate of entrainment. <br>
  
 
Recommendation: Keep reservoir elevations higher during the spring, summer, and fall when smallmouth bass are more susceptible to entrainment or find some way to cool the forebay to keep smallmouth bass away from the dam (see the [https://gcdamp.com/index.php/TCD_Learning_Page Temperature Control page]). <br>
 
Recommendation: Keep reservoir elevations higher during the spring, summer, and fall when smallmouth bass are more susceptible to entrainment or find some way to cool the forebay to keep smallmouth bass away from the dam (see the [https://gcdamp.com/index.php/TCD_Learning_Page Temperature Control page]). <br>
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The entrainment risk is reduced in the winter because smallmouth bass are located in shallower warmer water like in Wahweap Bay. <br>
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The entrainment risk is reduced in the winter because smallmouth bass are located in shallower warmer water like in Wahweap Bay. The entrainment risk is higher in the summer because smallmouth bass are located in the forebay. <br>
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The entrainment risk is higher in the summer because smallmouth bass are located in the forebay. <br>
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Lower reservoir elevations result in a higher entrainment risk because smallmouth bass are found nearer to the penstock withdrawals.
 
Lower reservoir elevations result in a higher entrainment risk because smallmouth bass are found nearer to the penstock withdrawals.
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'''2026'''
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*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/amwg/2026-02-26-amwg-meeting/uc-gcdamp-amwg-temperaturecontrol-508-20260226.pdf Temperature Control and Entrainment Prevention]
  
 
'''2024'''
 
'''2024'''
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*[[Media:Glen_Canyon_Fish_Escapement_Appraisal_Report_05.2024_FINAL.pdf | Wagner and Svoboda. 2024. Glen Canyon Fish Escapement Appraisal Report (Final)]]
 
*[[Media:2024_GCD_Turbine_Outflow_Progress_Report.docx|Glen Canyon Dam Turbine Outflow Tucker Trawl Netting - 2024 Progress Report ]]
 
*[[Media:2024_GCD_Turbine_Outflow_Progress_Report.docx|Glen Canyon Dam Turbine Outflow Tucker Trawl Netting - 2024 Progress Report ]]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2024-01-25-twg-meeting/20240125-TWGMeeting-HydroacousticMonitoring-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Monitoring ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2024-01-25-twg-meeting/20240125-TWGMeeting-HydroacousticMonitoring-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Monitoring ]
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'''2022'''
 
'''2022'''
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*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-10-13-twg-meeting/20221013-HydroacousticFishDistribution-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Fish Distribution ]
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*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-10-13-twg-meeting/20221013-GlenCanyonDamFishEscapementOptions-508-UCRO.pdf Svoboda. 2022. Glen Canyon Dam Fish Escapement Report (Final)]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/amwg/2022-08-18-amwg-meeting/20220818-GlenCanyonDamFishEscapementOptions-508-UCRO.pdf Glen Canyon Dam Fish Escapement Options ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/amwg/2022-08-18-amwg-meeting/20220818-GlenCanyonDamFishEscapementOptions-508-UCRO.pdf Glen Canyon Dam Fish Escapement Options ]
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*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-10-13-twg-meeting/20221013-GlenCanyonDamFishEscapementOptions-508-UCRO.pdf Glen Canyon Dam Fish Escapement Report]
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*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-10-13-twg-meeting/20221013-HydroacousticFishDistribution-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Fish Distribution ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-06-16-twg-meeting/20220616-CharacterizingFishAssemblageLakePowellForebay-508-UCRO.pdf Characterizing the fish assemblage of the Lake Powell forebay: identifying the potential for nonnative fish escapement through Glen Canyon Dam and into the lower Colorado River ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-06-16-twg-meeting/20220616-CharacterizingFishAssemblageLakePowellForebay-508-UCRO.pdf Characterizing the fish assemblage of the Lake Powell forebay: identifying the potential for nonnative fish escapement through Glen Canyon Dam and into the lower Colorado River ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-04-13-twg-meeting/20220413-HydroacousticFishDistributionLakePowell2022-Presentation-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Fish Distribution - Lake Powell 2022 ]
 
*[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/amp/twg/2022-04-13-twg-meeting/20220413-HydroacousticFishDistributionLakePowell2022-Presentation-508-UCRO.pdf Hydroacoustic Fish Distribution - Lake Powell 2022 ]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 13 October 2026


Entrainment.png

Entrainment of warmwater nonnative fish through Glen Canyon Dam

The rate of entrainment is dependent on the season, reservoir elevation, and thermocline depth.

Smallmouth bass are less susceptible to entrainment in the winter because they are largely absent from the forebay at that time of year. As Lake Powell warms in the spring and summer, smallmouth bass move from the shallow bays into the mainstem areas of the reservoir (1). Additionally, as the reservoir elevations decline and the thermocline reaches penstock elevation, fish are brought into closer proximity to the intakes of the dam which increases the risk of entrainment (2). Also, in years with large inflows, the thermocline can reach deeper into the reservoir which also brings fish into closer proximity to the intakes and increases the risk of entrainment (3), (4).

How do you know if you are entraining smallmouth bass through the dam? Since smallmouth bass typically stay above the thermocline, any release when the thermocline is at or below penstock level is likely to be entraining bass and, as a gage, the warmer the release the higher the rate of entrainment.

Recommendation: Keep reservoir elevations higher during the spring, summer, and fall when smallmouth bass are more susceptible to entrainment or find some way to cool the forebay to keep smallmouth bass away from the dam (see the Temperature Control page).


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Eppehimer et al., 2025, Declining reservoir elevations following a two-decade drought increase water temperatures and non-native fish passage facilitating a downstream invasion: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Maintaining Lake Powell elevations above 3590 ft would likely minimize entrainment from the reservoir and create downstream conditions that minimize smallmouth bass population growth.

Smallmouth bass entrainment is predicted to increase with decreasing reservoir elevation until 3490 ft (minimum power pool), after which the dam switches to deeper river outlets which will lower entrainment. The rate of entrainment increases dramatically as reservoir elevation declines below 3530 ft.

Recommendation: Keep reservoir elevations above 3530 ft with an optimal target above 3590 ft. (1)

EntrainmentRate.jpg


Friesen, Barrett T., 2024, "Invasion Potential of Nonnative Fishes Through a Large Western Dam Into a Prized and Vulnerable Ecosystem" .

The entrainment risk is reduced in the winter because smallmouth bass are located in shallower warmer water like in Wahweap Bay. The entrainment risk is higher in the summer because smallmouth bass are located in the forebay.

Lower reservoir elevations result in a higher entrainment risk because smallmouth bass are found nearer to the penstock withdrawals.

  • At elevations of 3543 ft, the risk of entrainment occurs in 95% of the traces evaluated
  • At elevations of 3621 ft, the risk of entrainment occurs in only 5% of the traces evaluated

Recommendation: Keep reservoir elevations higher during the spring, summer, and fall when smallmouth bass are more susceptible to entrainment with a minimum target of 3543 ft and and an optimal target above 3621 ft. [1]


Forebay telemetry.png


Forebay sonor.png


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