Project Description
This landmark study is the first of its kind for the Mekong River and aims to inform the realistic and sustainable design of fish passages for hydropower dams by assessing fish migration dynamics. The study uses the Khone Falls in Champasak Province, Lao PDR—a naturally diverse riverine environment with complex hydro-morphological conditions—as a natural laboratory to explore how different fish species navigate variable water levels. This location offers a unique opportunity to study passability (the ability of fish to move through a structure without harm) and traceability (the ability of fish to locate fish pass entrances).
Objectives, Activities and Results
The project’s objective is to determine the hydro-geomorphologic requirements for effective fish migration. Key activities include measuring swimming capabilities of fish, mapping flow velocities and turbulence, and assessing migration behaviors under different hydraulic conditions. Advanced drone technology and hydrological tools are used alongside community surveys and consultations. Implemented by ICEM in collaboration with WorldFish Center and academic institutions from Laos and Thailand, the two-year, USD 580,000 study combines rigorous scientific fieldwork with participatory approaches. Findings will support the development of fish-friendly infrastructure solutions in the Mekong Basin.
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