Knowledge of fish biomass and its inter-annual and intra-annual variations in the sediment management operations of Haut-Rhône in Switzerland and France

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CNR (FR) and GIS (CH) are responsible for the energy exploitation and sediment management of the dams located on the upper Rhône and aim to preserve fish biomass.The hydroelectric reservoirs are regularly the subject of sediment management operations in order to evacuate the sediments deposited by the Arve in the Verbois reservoir with the aim of protecting from flooding the lower districts of Geneva, maintaining hydroelectric production and boating. These interventions have an effect on fish biomass.The impacts on the fish stand of sedimentary inputs and associated sediment management are known qualitatively but difficult to quantify. The methods used do not allow for an exhaustive knowledge of this biomass and therefore to manage it well.The objective of the project is to establish and test a common investigation protocol leading to the knowledge of fish biomass through the implementation of innovative prospecting techniques. The project covers 4 dams (2 in Switzerland and 2 in France) in the geographical area covered by INTERREG France-Switzerland. The project takes place between 2017 and 2020. The partnership shall consist of: CNR (FR) and SIG-HEPIA (CH). This project is part of Axis 2 “Protecting and valuing natural and cultural heritage” and specific objective 4 “Preserving and restoring fragile ecosystems in cross-border areas” of the INTERREG programme.

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