FAQ – Fish Friendly Turbines

Will DSHPP use fish-friendly turbines?

Yes. DSHPP will be using bulb turbines, which are termed ???fish friendly??? because they rotate at a relatively slow speed compared to other types of turbines which are usually installed at projects which have higher heads, reducing the risk of a turbine blade striking the fish. Given the axial flow configuration of the bulb turbine flows go straight through without having to pass through bends or elbows. The estimated rate of mortality of downstream-migrating fish at the project satisfied the MRC preliminary design guidance criteria of 95% survival. This estimation took into account fish migrating downstream through other channels and a screen to exclude larger fish.