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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Novice on March 27, 2012, 08:36:28 PM

Title: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: Novice on March 27, 2012, 08:36:28 PM

While down at Wyaralong dam today, we decided to check out the spillway and the fishlift. As this fishlift impacts the stocking levels that are being negotiated , I couldn't help but wonder how much use/value it really is. The pond below the wall is virtually a brown stagnant pond with very little flow(just a trickle). I understand that the fishlift only operates during times of flow, but I can't help but think , the flow of fish in net terms will be in the downstream direction.

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a-1.jpg)

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a1.jpg)

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a2.jpg)

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a6.jpg)
The end of the pond below the wall.
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a7.jpg)
The road bridge below the wall.
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a5.jpg)

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a3.jpg)

(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff380/Novice-Dave/a4.jpg)

Cheers,
Dave.

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: WayneD on March 28, 2012, 10:05:12 AM

Did anyone see that episode of Monster fish that was on the Murray Cod? They had a fish lift in that episode that seemed to work great. The fish were attracted to the flow of water coming out of the bottom of the lift once inside the trap door was shut and the fish lifted out of the water and released up stream.

Not sure if this is the same type of lift though?

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: Brad H on March 29, 2012, 06:52:24 AM

It does seem a waste on that dam though, considering the normal flows in the creek. Anything larger than a guppy would be hard pressed to make it upstream unless there was a rain event.
BUT... Thats one of the consequences of addressing the objections conservationists would have against the dam's construction I guess.

Brad

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: Junglefisher on March 29, 2012, 11:41:11 AM

Looks like plenty of water in those photos to me for small fish migrating upstream, having been spawned downstream  / in the salt.
I've seen plenty of fish under torchlight in water so shallow they have to swim sideways.

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: drjfly on March 29, 2012, 05:20:11 PM

In Australia most fish move upstream as juveniles and return downstream as adults so when a fish lift like this is operated correctly it will pass in pure numbers terms a great deal of fish upstream. See this link for more info http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item7 (http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item7)

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: bushwacker on March 29, 2012, 07:03:39 PM

I know of 2 weirs with non functioning fish ladders below this fish ladder for the dam ... what the hell kind of chance does a wild spawned aussie bass have of getting into that dam via man built contraptions with questionable useage... ? Beer is my friend

Steve

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: elops on March 29, 2012, 11:31:08 PM

What 2 weirs are those Steve ?

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: bushwacker on March 30, 2012, 06:26:36 PM

Teviot flows into logan river and not far from there im told theres a weir just near there ( never seen it ) but there is a fair backup of water from one, I know theres the new weir down opposite camp cable road (fairly new with an eleged working fishladder)

I wouldnt take my post very seriously steve I may have been slightly innhebriated. Maybe my point was there are a fair few pbsticles between the new fish ladder and brackish spawning territorry?

Steve 

Title: Re: Wyaralong Dam's Fishlift, was it worth the money??
Post by: elops on March 30, 2012, 08:00:28 PM

All the fishways on the Logan work though Maclean has issues.
Have seen some video taken by David Roberts of literally hundreds of thousands of Mullet going up the vertical slot at Cedar Grove (pretty sure it was Cedar Grove). He has also observed good numbers of juvenile Striped Gudgeons Gobiomorphus australis using them. Been below Wyaralong and have found Sea Mullet, Freshwater Mullet, Empire Gudgeons and Striped Gudgeons (and bloody carp) if the large catadromous and small amphidromous fish are making it to the dam a good indicator thet the fishways work.