Influence of hypolimnetic hydropeaking on the distribution and population dynamics of Ephemeroptera in a mountain stream

1. The Ephemeroptera assemblage of the River Oriège (Pyrenees, France) was studied up- and downstream of a hydroelectric power plant with hypolimnetic releases from a nearby high altitude reservoir. The life histories and larval growth of the six dominant species (Rhithrogena semicolorata, R. sp. gr. hercynia, R. kimminsi, Baetis alpinus, B. rhodani, Ephemerella ignita) were studied 700 m upstream (site A) and 700 and 3500 m downstream (sites B and C, respectively) of the power plant. Their drift patterns were studied at sites A and B. 2. The natural flow of the river was preserved when the plant was inoperative. During power generation, flow and temperature were the two main environmental factors modified. The natural flow in the river below the outlet may be enhanced several times a day from 1 to 11 m³ s^–1 in summer and winter, and from 5 to 15 m³ s^–1 during spring spates. During hydropeaking, the water was cooled in summer and slightly warmed in winter, but this was attenuated 3500 m downstream from the plant. 3. The density and biomass of the species studied at the three sites reflected both the impact of hydropeaking and the natural longitudinal zonation of the fauna. The lowest density and biomass was estimated at 700 m downstream from the plant (site B), consistent with a prominent role for hydropeaking. Site A showed constant mayfly drift caused by accidental dislodgement plus behavioural drift that was mainly nocturnal. Below the plant, the flushing action of peaking flows added to this a catastrophic drift, which was highest in autumn when the difference between natural and peak flows was greatest. 4. Environmental change caused only slight modifications in the life history patterns, affecting the hatching and/or emergence period and growth of several species. For instance, R. semicolorata grew through the winter below the outlet, when growth was slight upstream from the power plant. Under this kind of river regulation (natural discharge and temperature except during periods of power generation, and intermittent hydropeaking from a separate reservoir) modifications of the thermal regime had a minor effect on the population dynamics of mayflies, unlike hydraulic disturbances which strongly influenced the abundance and structure of the benthic community. Frequent (at least daily) high flow disturbances caused depletion of mayfly populations, despite daily renewal and colonization (drift) from undisturbed upstream locations.