Experimental Investigation of Baffle Configurations for Enhancing Hydraulic Performance in Fishways
JOURNAL OF APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-13, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-13
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Fishways
are essential hydraulic structures that enable fish to overcome natural and
artificial barriers, ensuring ecological connectivity in river systems. This
study experimentally investigates the influence of baffle geometry and
configuration on the hydraulic performance and biological suitability of
pool-type fishways. Three laboratory models A10, A7, and A5 were constructed with varying baffle
heights of 10, 7, and 5 cm, respectively, and tested under discharges ranging
from 200 to 750 L·min⁻¹. Key hydraulic parameters, including flow depth, energy
dissipation, and velocity distribution, were systematically measured and
analyzed. Results revealed that Model A7 exhibited the highest mean energy
dissipation (0.81) and strong vortex formation favorable for fish resting,
while Model A10 maintained optimal flow uniformity and sufficient depth
(average 0.363 m) across a wide discharge range. In contrast, Model A5 produced
excessive turbulence and inadequate flow depth, reducing its ecological
suitability. Overall, Model A10 demonstrated the most balanced performance
between hydraulic efficiency and biological safety. These findings provide
practical insights for optimizing fishway design, suggesting that moderate
baffle heights and controlled slopes can effectively enhance fish passage
efficiency and minimize physiological stress on aquatic species.