Ensure Sustainable Water Management Through Environmental Flow Needs Assessments

We provide specialized expertise in assessing, mitigating, and monitoring flow-related effects on aquatic environments. With over two decades of experience and advanced in-house data and modeling capabilities, we deliver science-based, cost-effective solutions for projects that impact stream hydrology. Our team supports clients by characterizing baseline conditions, conducting rigorous environmental assessments, and working collaboratively with indigenous communities, regulators, and stakeholders to develop sustainable water management practices that protect aquatic ecosystems.
Service Specifics

Our Environmental Flow Needs Services

See how we support clients in balancing water use with ecological protection through tailored Environmental Flow Needs (EFN) solutions.

We perform EFN assessments for both short-term water use (Section 10 of the Water Sustainability Act) and long-term conditional water licenses to ensure compliance and sustainability.

We provide early-stage evaluations to identify potential environmental and permitting risks, helping clients refine project design and minimize regulatory challenges.

We offer strategic guidance, permitting support, and third-party reviews under frameworks such as the BC Water Sustainability Act and the federal Fisheries Act.

We develop and implement water management plans and mitigation measures that reduce environmental impacts from water use and support project approvals.

Our team applies ecohydraulic modeling tools (e.g., PHABSIM, SEFA) to establish predictive relationships between streamflow and ecological indicators, ensuring data-driven decisions.

We assess wetlands, streams, and groundwater-surface water interactions to support permitting and evaluate the ecological implications of water use and project footprints.

We analyze projected climate change impacts on environmental flows and help clients meet regulatory requirements for long-term resilience.

We foster collaboration with Indigenous peoples and local communities, integrating traditional knowledge into water use planning and environmental flow strategies.

We design and implement long-term monitoring programs that track the effects of water use and guide adaptive management over the project lifecycle.

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Environmental Flow Needs FAQ

Environmental Flow Needs (EFN) are science-based requirements for maintaining adequate streamflow and water levels to support aquatic ecosystems, fish populations, and habitat integrity.

EFN assessments help balance water use with ecological protection, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks while supporting sustainable resource development.

Our team combines field studies, ecohydraulic modeling, baseline condition assessments, and stakeholder engagement to deliver tailored EFN assessments that meet both ecological and regulatory needs.

EFN requirements are commonly addressed under the BC Water Sustainability Act, the federal Fisheries Act, and other provincial, state, or federal permitting frameworks depending on the project location.

Industries such as mining, energy, forestry, infrastructure, and municipal development, as well as regulators and indigenous groups, benefit from EFN assessments that promote sustainable water management practices.

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Related Training Courses

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