We are happy to share that we submitted a provisional patent (nº 118955) application to protect the method of a flow refuge installation for fish as an output from T2&3 of the project. This invention relates to a method for installing a flow refuge shelter for fish downstream of hydropower dams. After many hours of work, we could assess the configuration that would result in the best hydrodynamic conditions at the flow refuge entrance enabling fish entrance.
The method involves placing it at the bottom of a river bed with the shelter entrance oriented downstream, forming an angle between approximately 40º and 50º in relation to the water current line. The flow refuge, made of composite material, is resistant, durable, and lightweight, making it particularly advantageous for use in rivers, which are subject to both wet and dry environments. This material allows for the modular construction of refuges in different sizes, starting from the unit with a 0.50m opening, 0.35m height, and 0.40m depth, making it easier for mass production and subsequent transportation. The shelter was also designed to allow the installation of environmental sensors and a monitoring system (underwater camera with an attached cleaning brush for biofilm cleaning) to track the use of the shelter by the fish.
