Design and validation of fish-safe hydro turbines for retrofit and new-build applications

Hydropower operations have had major detrimental effects on fish populations, both migratory and resident. This article focuses primarily on the downstream passage of fish through turbines, although there are many other related issues concerning the safe, timely, and effective passage of fish through hydropower facilities, as well as habitat change and flow alterations associated with hydropower operations. The design of fish-safe turbines has significant value, as such machines could lock-in substantial environmental sustainability improvements at hydropower facilities while also allowing for simple and familiar hydropower plant design and operations.