Effects of water temperature on spawning ground of Chinese Sturgeon in Three Gorges Reservoir

In the present study, the change of water temperature in Three Gorges Reservoir is predicted in the normal year using the laterally averaged 2D k-ε temperature model. It can be concluded that there is a slight stratification temperature structure in front of Dam only in March and April with the vertical temperature difference 5.4°C. A retarding period happens in spring and winter. And Characteristic indexes of temperature about the Chinese Sturgeon´s spawning actions are put forward, and the influence of water temperature variation due to reservoir operation on the spawning ground of Chinese Sturgeon is analyzed quantitatively combining with observed data from other scholars. There are more days that water temperature is suitable spawning period after reservoir was built up with deferment at 16.1°C, 18.0°C and 20.6°C. Research method in this paper can give reference to researching the influence of water temperature variation from the Three Gorges Reservoir on other fish species.