• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.381-390
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• 2001

This is to evaluate the ascending capacity of migratory fish in the pool and weir type fishways. Ascending environment of the migratory fish in rivers is analyzed through eco-hydraulic experiments using sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, trout, Oncorhnchus mykiss, and surveying the fall height of existing pool and weir type fishways. When the fall height is less than 16.0cm, the ascending capacity of sweetfish in the pool and weir type fishways is greater than trout. On the other hand when the fall height is over 20.0 cm, the ascending capacity of trout is greater than sweetfish. A sweetfish may prefer to jump for upward moving than trout. And its endurance after upward jumping over wear is greater than that of sweetfish. Because of high fall height of existing pool and weir type fishways the migratory environment in rivers is so poor. When the pool and weir type fishways are designed and constructed in river the fall height of weir must be considered for the variety of migratory fish living in river and the fall height of weir less than 20.0cm is suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.196-203
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• 2013

Seungchon Weir was constructed in 2010 on the downstream region of Yeongsan River watershed for four major river projects. The purpose of our study was to determine whether fish compositions and distributions differ between the upper ($U_w$) and lower regions ($L_w$) of Seungchon Weir during May - December 2011 along with hydroacoustic fish surveys using Eco-Sounder monitoring ($E_SM$) technique. Total number of fish species sampled by conventional fish sampling at all sites was 29, and 21 and 24 species occurred in the $U_w$ and $L_w$, respectively. Most dominant species was Hemiculter eigenmanni (43%) in the $U_w$ and Opsaiichthys uncirostris amurensis (21%) in the $L_w$, indicating a distinct differences of the species composition. According to hydroacoustic approach of ESM, fish density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the $L_w$ section of 250 m than any other sections, This outcome indicates that fishes moving toward the upstream were blocked by weir construction. According to analysis of tolerance guilds, tolerant species (TS) were made of 88% and 79% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively, while the proportions of sensitive species were < 0.1% of the total in the both regions. Trophic guild analysis showed that the proportion of omnivore species were 58% and 40% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively, while insectivores were made of 16% and 21% in the $U_w$ and $L_w$ region, respectively. Both analyses of tolerance guilds and trophic guilds indicate the biological degradation of the waterbody. Fish community structure analysis, based on species diversity, dominance, and evenness indices, showed higher community stability in the $L_w$ region than $U_w$ region. Exotic species of largemouth bass were largely increased in this survey (14%), compared to the past (< 1%), indicating a modification of fish trophic structure.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate fish passage efficiency, based on fish-trap monitoring methodology, in the fishway of Seungchon Weir, which was constructed on the lower region of Yeongsan River in 2011. Seasonal patterns and diel variations of fish movements, fish fauna, and compositions in the fishway were analyzed in relation to the current velocity and location of the trap-setting in the fishway. For the analysis, we conducted seven times surveys in 2012 on the fishway and also conducted intensive monitoring of the fishway as 3 hrs interval for the diel variations of fish fauna and compositions in the fishway. According to the fish-trap monitoring methodology, the total number of fish species was 13 species, which was a 43.3% of the total. Most dominant fish used the fishway was Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae and the relative abundance of the species used the fishway was 33.5% of the total. The season and time zone (in diel variation) observed most frequently in the fishway were July and 18:00-21:00 PM, respectively. The fish movements and use-rates of fishway varied depending on the locations of trap-setting; Fish biomass and the number of species were statistically (p < 0.05) greater in the most right or left-sided traps than in the mid-traps. Also, fish movements and use-rates of fishway were influenced by current velocity on the fishway; fish in the fishway preferred the low current velocity (mean 0.71 m/sec) than the high current velocity (mean 1.13 m/sec). Further long-term studies should be monitored for the efficiency evaluations of the fishway.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.879-891
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate seasonal patterns and diel variations of fish movements in the Juksan Weir which was constructed in 2010 at the down-stream of Yeongsan-River watershed. For this study, we monitored day-and-night movement(24 Hr cycle) and seasonal fish migration(June ~ August) patterns in 2011 along with species compositions and abundances depending on the locations of the traps within the fishway. Total number of species sampled was 14 and the total number of individuals was 1,263 with only the size-fractions(as total length) of the fish < 20 cm during the study. Seasonal analysis of fish movement in the fish way showed that highest frequency in the movement occurred in June - July, which is closely associated with a spawning peak season. The most dominant species using the fishway was Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae, and this species turned out to be 26.9% of the total in the use rate of fishway. Daily monitoring of fish movements showed that most frequent movements occurred between 18:00 PM and 21:00 PM when the fish have a feeding time generally. The migratory fish were not found in the fishway during the study. Mean current velocity during the study $0.42{\pm}0.02ms^{-1}$(n = 42), and there were no significant statistical differences(p > 0.05) among the daily and monthly velocities in the fishway. The use rate of fish passage, in terms of fish species, was 48%, compared with total sampling of fish species(29 species) at the down-river regions during the same period, indicating a low use rate. Further continuous long-term monitoring should be conducted to evaluate the impacts of the weir construction in the river.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze fish fauna and species compositions along with trophic guilds, tolerance indicators, and fish community conditions before weir construction (BWC) and after weir construction (AWC) in the Yeongsan River watershed. Total 45 and 44 fish species were sampled in BWC and AWC, respectively without any distinct differences through weir constructions. Fish fauna analysis revealed that the dominant species was the same, Zacco platypus with 24.3% and 20.8% in BWC and AWC, respectively. However, the subdominant species were Carassius auratus with 8.9% in BWC but Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis with 20.3%, almost identical that of the dominant species AWC. This phenomenon showed the distinct modification of species composition in the watershed. We sampled the $1^{st}$ class endangered species, Liobagrus obesus in tributary stream as previously reported. Also Culter brevicauda was sampled in the mainstream of Yeongsan River watershed and this was the first sampled record in this watershed. One of the most important features were an increase of exotic species, such as Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus, with 3.2% BWC vs. 10.2% AWC as well as the increase in tolerant species with 49.2% BWC vs. 73.7% AWC, indicating ecological degradation through weir construction. Overall, our results indicated that fish fauna and composition analyses showed distinct ecological degradations related to increases of exotic and tolerant species AWC. Further long-term studies of fish monitoring should be conducted in the future to configure existent status of river conditions and to provide key information in order to conserve the healthy ecosystem.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to present the necessity and effect of culvert fishway, based on the absence of design criteria for it which fishes can pass. As an attempt for this purpose, circular culvert fishway were designed hydraulically to meet the passage condition for selected target fish species, and post-monitoring was performed to confirm its effectiveness. In the case of general circular culvert without weir baffles, the target fish species cannot pass because of the constant depth and velocity in the entire reach of the circular culvert, so it was confirmed that resting pools must be installed to help fish passage. In the case of circular culvert with weir baffles, the depth and the mean velocity in resting pool increased by about 240% and decreased by about 70% respectively, which not only satisfied the passage conditions of Zacco platypus that can swim at more than 10 times the speed of body length for 1 to 5 seconds, but also confirmed that various river fish could pass. Post-monitoring results of the restoration reach and fish capture monitoring surveys of circular culvert fishway demonstrated that the target fish species, Zacco platypus, can pass through it.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.348-362
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• 2023

This study analyzed the monitoring results of fishways at 16 weirs constructed on four large Rivers to provide data helpful for the operation and management of fishways. The average utilization rate of the fishways at the weirs was confirmed to be 64.9%. When comparing the dominant species in the mainstream and fishway monitoring results, differences were observed in 9 weirs (56.3%). This indicated that the species prevalent in the mainstream were not necessarily the ones most frequently using the fishways. The average number of individuals using the fishways per day was 336. When classifying the fish species using the fishway by life type, 92.3% were primary freshwater fish, and migratory species accounted for only 5.6%. Analysis based on the season of fishway usage revealed that an average or higher number of fish species used the fishways from May to October, with the highest number of individual users occurring from June to August. Between May and July, 80% of the fish species using the fishways were in their spawning period, while during other season, less than 40% were species that move during the spawning period. The fishways that showed a significant alignment between the spawning period and the fishway passage period were Rhinogobius brunneus, Leiocassis nitidus, Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae, Pseudogobio esocinus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, and Pungtungia herzi, in that order. When comparing the fishway monitoring results of the Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir and the Dalseong Weir with the upper part water level of the weir, both the number of fish species and individuals using the fishway showed positive correlations with the upper part water level of the weir. This suggests that a higher water level of the weir increases the inflow discharge within the fishway, leading to increased use by fish (number of individuals in Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir, P<0.001; number of species in Dalseong Weir, P<0.05). This study summarized and analyzed the results of fishway monitoring at 16 weirs built on four large Rivers, considering fishway efficiency, operation and management, monitoring period, and regulation of water level in the upper part of the weir. It is thought that this will help understand the status of fish use in fishways on large River and aid the construction, operation, and management of fishways in the future.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2016

The main goal of this study is to develop a multi-metric fishway assessment model (M_m-FA) and evaluate the efficiency of fishway. The M_m-FA model has three major fishway components with nine metrics: structural characteristics, hydraulic/hydrologic features, and biological attributes. The model was developed for diagnosing and assessing fishway efficiency and tested to Juksan Weir at the Yeongsan River Watershed. Structural characteristics of fishway included slope of the fishway (M₁), ratios of fishway width to stream width (M₂), and the proportion of orifice clogging and orifice size (M₃). Hydraulic/hydrologic characteristics included depth of fishway entrance head (M₄), depth of exit tail (M₅), and current velocity of inner fishway (M₆). Biological characteristics included fish species ratio of inner fishway to upper-lower weir (M₇), fish length distribution (M₈), and the proportion of migratory fish species to the total number of species (M₉). Overall, the assessment of fishway efficiency showed the total score of the M_m-FA model was 25 in the Juksan Weir, indicating "good condition" by the criteria of the five-level classification system. The M_m-FA model may be used as a key tool for the assessment of fishway efficiency, especially on the 16 weirs constructed for the "Four Rivers Restoration Project" after a partial calibration of M_m-FA model.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.300-307
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• 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of weir gate operation in aquatic fish habitats through a physical habitat simulation of Geum River, Korea. The target species was Zacco platypus, which is a dominant species in the study area. The River2D model was used to compute the flow, and the habitat suitability index model was used to estimate the quality and quantity of the habitat using a habitat suitability curve. An unopened case and a partially opened case were investigated to assess the impact of weir gate operation on the aquatic fish habitat. The simulation results showed that the aquatic habitats of the target species in the partially opened case improved significantly, compared to the case without a gate opening. Furthermore, the weighted usable area increased by a factor of approximately 13, owing to weir gate operation in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.212-218
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• 2015

In South Korea, various nature-like fishways recently been installed for use by a wide variety of fish species. However, limited attempts have been made to monitor the fish utilization. The present study was conducted to ascertain the frequencies and patterns of utilization of the fishway installed at Beakjae Weir. We collected fish species that use the fishway by installing a fyke net at the exit of the fishway at least once a month from April 2013 to October 2013. Additionally, in order to identify all fish species that can potentially use the fishway, we investigated the fish fauna downstream to Beakjae Weir (mainstream of the Geum River). We found that 10 species belonging to 2 families used the fishway; this accounted for 64% of the total species inhabiting the mainstream. The species that used the fishway most frequently were Microphysogobio jeoni, followed by Squaliobarbus curriculus and Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis. The highest number of fish using the fishway was observed in August, which was positively correlated with the water temperature (Spearman rank correlation, $r_s$=0.743, P=0.035). The sizes of the fish using the fishway varied widely, with the total body length ranging from 39 mm to 550 mm. Analysis of the time-dependent utilization frequency revealed that most fish used the fishway during the night (20:00~08:00). Compared to other fishways installed along the Geum River, the fishway installed at Beakjae Weir was used by fewer species and fish. This may be attributed to the structural inadequacy of the fishway, thereby resulting in a low attraction efficiency. Therefore, measures should be adopted to enhance the fishway attraction and passage efficiency. The results of this study can be used to ensure efficient operation and management of the Beakjae Weir fishway as well as serve as basic data for developing and building nature-like fishways tailored to Korean situations.