Water & Ecology

Delivering Exceptional Water and Ecology Solutions

Our Services

We are solving the most challenging water and ecology problems to ensure better environmental outcomes for our clients.

Expertise from our family of companies

Trade Shows & Conferences

Upcoming Events

AME RoundUp | January 22-25, 2024

Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Roundup in Vancouver, BC

PDAC | March 3-6, 2024

Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in Toronto, ON

Featured Projects

BC Hydro Keeps Dam Construction Project Flowing with Trinity Ecofish

Ecofish provided a state-of-the-art water quality monitoring solution for construction of BC Hydro's Site C hydroelectric dam.

Technical Insights

Water Quality Monitoring

Get a sense of a day-in-the-life of our VE marine scientists, as they carry out a range of monitoring activities from equipment deployment to sample collection and real-time checking of water conditions.

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Resources

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Assessment of Aquatic Systems

We have a range of specialists across the spectrum of aquatic systems. This service sheet outlines the assessment services available from the Canadian teams at Minnow.

Assessment of Containment Dispersion in Aquatic Environments

Understanding the environmental impact of industrial and municipal facilities is the first step in mitigating their effects. This service sheet showcases that the Minnow team has the capabilities to support analyses for operations including mining, pulp and paper mills, wastewater treatment plans, and power plants.

Environmental Geochemistry and ARD/ML Assessment Services

Mining operations often require customized solutions to best suit the area, minerals, and relevant regulations. This service sheet outlines our “fit-for-purpose” studies that satisfy technical and regulatory requirements while providing added-value.

Regulatory Permitting, Authorizations, and Compliance

The regulatory process for the mining industry can be fraught with complicated data requirements and intricate submission processes. This service sheet details how our long-standing professional relationships and depth of field environmental monitoring experience make us a valuable partner in the regulatory and compliance process.

EIA, EEM & Permitting

Our multi-disciplinary experts are the best in the business at designing and delivering environmental impact assessments and effects monitoring plans that consider the high bar set by regulators, with our work recognized by provincial and federal agencies. Our detailed knowledge of permitting requirements and policies allows us to guide acquisition of regulatory approvals in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner for all phases of project development.

Fisheries & Aquatic Monitoring & Research

Our scientists offer unparalleled experience assessing aquatic environmental data for species ranging from algae and aquatic plants, to periphyton, plankton, and benthic invertebrates, to amphibians, aquatic reptiles, aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, and fish. We work in stream, river, lake, wetland, coral reef, mangrove, seagrass, and intertidal and pelagic marine ecosystems across North America and around the world.

Wildlife, Terrestrial, Ecological Monitoring & Research

Industry, government, First Nations, and non-governmental organizations retain us to conduct biodiversity assessments for rare and protected species; design and implement baseline studies for amphibians, birds, and mammals; lead vegetation surveys; conduct habitat suitability modeling and terrestrial ecosystem mapping; develop mitigation, offsetting, adaptive management, and monitoring plans; and build capacity within First Nations to assess and monitor traditional resources. Our wildlife and terrestrial ecosystem scientists are experienced in standard survey methods as well as novel scientific approaches to collate the data our clients need.

Water & Sediment Quality, Aquatic Chemistry, Toxicology

Our scientists are experts in water quality monitoring and monitoring of sediment and biological tissue quality in coastal, freshwater, and groundwater systems throughout North America and Oceania. Leveraging decades of experience gained on hundreds of projects across a range of industries, our team assesses the potential toxicity of effluents, receiving waters, and sediments, characterize aqueous and sedimentary chemical speciation and bioavailability, model sediment dynamics, and evaluate and mitigate potential contaminant effects on aquatic organisms ranging from algae to aquatic birds.

Hydrogeology & Geochemistry

We offer a wide range of geoscience expertise to service mining and other industrial sectors, including baseline assessments, adaptive management support, prediction and modelling studies, and special investigations. Our experienced geochemistry team completes technical studies and develops solutions for problems relating to mine drainage, including acid rock drainage/metal leaching (ARD/ML) assessments, water quality model predictions, and evaluations of water management and treatment requirements. The hydrogeology (groundwater) team provides services to characterize subsurface conditions and groundwater flow regimes through physical and chemical hydrogeology assessments, delineation of contaminant plumes, surface water-groundwater interaction studies, and groundwater monitoring programs.

Hydrology & Environmental Flows

Industrial developments have complex effects on the hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, and geomorphology of watercourses. Our highly qualified engineers, hydrologists, data analysts, and aquatic scientists have decades of experience performing instream flow assessments, guiding instream flow assessment policy, setting environmental flows for proponents, and analyzing water systems from multiple angles to develop rigorous, cost-effective strategies that balance the needs of the project, the environment, and other stakeholders.

Habitat Restoration Enhancement & Offsetting

Our specialists offer a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitat restoration, enhancement, and offsetting services, including wildlife exclusion fencing, species capture and relocation, wetland creation, riparian and landscape reclamation, fishway construction and monitoring, and habitat construction for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Our team includes international experts in fish habitat offsetting, who engage First Nations and local stakeholders to design comprehensive offsetting plans proven to benefit proponents, communities, and aquatic ecosystems.

Three people talking at construction site

Environmental Compliance & Planning Management

Environmental management and monitoring for construction projects is a key aspect of our practice. We have developed numerous plans for our clients, including Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs), Construction Mitigation Plans, Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCP), Drainage Management Plans, and Best Management Practices (BMPs). We also provide and implement Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to help assure compliance of construction projects with regulatory guidance and permits. We understand the components, challenges, and constraints of construction projects, and can confidently provide the diligence and assurance required to see these through to completion.

GIS, Data Analytics & Statistics, Remote Sensing & Data Platforms

We recognize that statistical expertise is critical to the effective interpretation of environmental data, and we are committed to transparency and repeatability with all our data analyses. Our scientists use innovative technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, to deliver the most accurate habitat information to our clients, and our team accesses a vast array of GIS-based spatial datasets to develop sophisticated mathematical models, scenario exploration tools, and spatial analyses that identify optimal solutions to land and aquatic management challenges.

Water/Wastewater Engineering & Landscape Architecture