Sustainability of Fish-Hydropower Dam Interaction: A Case Study of River Nyamugasani ecosystem, Albertine Graben

Abstract

This study examined the River Nyamugasani ecosystem in western Uganda, evaluating fish diversity status before and after construction of a hydropower dam between 2018 and 2021. Using both electro fisher and minnow traps as the main fishing gears at ten preselected sites within the hydropower project areas, the study sampled 1,866 fishes from twenty-four (24) species, including the endemic Varicorhinus Ruwenzori, Pellegrin 1909. Nyamu II PH areas registered higher diversity (Simpson index of 0.8862) potentially attributed by hydrological alterations from hydropower dams. The findings emphasize the need for hydropower management need to consider fish stock controls, restorations and conservation measures, especially for the endemic Varicorhinus Ruwenzori species.