The model is being applied to the Columbia River. As a result, the files describing the river and release points of fish into the river are an essential part of the model. Theory CRiSP.1 is a mechanistic based stochastic model simulating fish survival. CRiSP.1 is a mechanistic based stochastic model that treats passage and survival of pre-selected salmon substocks through the Snake and Columbia rivers and their tributaries. Diel variations of spill and daily water budget operations are modeled.
Flow is converted to velocity using geometries and pool elevations of the reaches.
Dam passage is based on fish guidance efficiency, passage mortalities, and diel passage behavior. These factors are modeled on a species and dam specific basis. Fish migration rate is treated in terms of water velocity and fish behavior that includes fish choice of river habitat over the day. Reservoir mortality is a function of fish travel time and the resulting exposure to predation and gas bubble disease. Predation in turn depends on water temperature, predator activity and density.