Dam removal as a tool for restoring fish connectivity – a literature review and field study

Little is known about whether dam removal achieves fish restoration objectives. In Chapter 2, I document the characteristics of dams that have been removed along with the methods and trends in fish response to dam removal. In addition, this chapter provides guidance for those embarking on dam removal projects to improve the evidence base (e.g., reliability, replicability, relevance) so that a systematic review on the topic will be possible in the future. In Chapter 3, I document the effectiveness of a nature-like fishway in supporting up- and down- stream movement of a threatened salmonid, bull trout, in Forty Mile Creek, Banff National Park. This chapter explores the biotic and abiotic factors influencing the probability of fish to approach and pass through the fishway as well as passage duration. This information will expand our understanding on system connectivity as a whole by combining both dam removal and fishway research together.