Biological and Ecological Analyses, Studies, and Research
The TSC can provide all the expertise you need for environmental analyses to comply with NEPA, ESA, FWCA, and other environmental regulations. We also apply specific environmental research, study, and analyses to help ensure effective water and power deliveries.Water Conveyance Group (86-68140)
Can help provide technical advice and consultation on fish facilities associated with canals, pumping plants, powerplant intakes, and dams, as well as distribution systems to and within wetland areas.
Estimating, Specifications, and Construction Management Group (86-68170)
Environmental chemistry and project work
Materials Engineering and Research Laboratory (86-68180)
Environmental testing of materials (from -10 to 180°)
Environmental Applications and Research Group (86-68210) conducts environmental studies for dam operations, fish passage, fish evaluations and impacts on operations, compliance hazardous waste cleanup, irrigation and drainage systems, wetlands restoration, construction activities, and land use management. The staff is expert in evaluating anadromous and resident fisheries, waterfowl and raptors, wetlands and riparian habitats, limnology, and desert ecosystems. The staff also conduct bioassessments and:
- State-of-the-art analytical chemistry and environmental research technologies offer better and lower cost analyses of water, soil, plant and animal tissue, and other related environmental samples.
- Riparian and wetland research combine numerous scientific and engineering disciplines to help understand and manage natural riparian and wetland ecosystems.
- Analyses determine interrelationships between environment and aquatic systems.
The Remote Sensing and Geographic Information group (86-68211) helps find more cost effective, accurate, and useful ways to improve and use remote sensing and GIS data to study the spatial relationship. This information is invaluable for planning, habitat assessment, wildlife management, and other critical environmental efforts. We can aid with planning, habitat assessment, and wildlife management. Aerial photography, satellite imagery or Arc/Info coverages can help study the spatial relationships as well as the quality and quantity of different vegetation types in a given area. This information can be used to evaluate wildlife habitat, fish habitat, and instream and streambank conditions. An assessment can be made of the impact a proposed dam, dike, or other structure will have on habitat owing to resulting water fluctuation. Both instream and streambank conditions can be evaluated using remotely sensed data, including:
- Examining light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology for mapping river valleys
- Testing LIDAR for flood studies
- Examining economic and other flood impacts
- Using hyperspectral imagery
- Testing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data for characterizing riparian vegetation
The Economics and Resource Planning Group (86-68270) has specialists skilled at estimating the economic value of wetlands, instream flows, fish and wildlife, recreational activities and other hard-to-quantify properties. Analyses include:
-
Costs vs. benefits of fishery improvements or restoration
Economic values of anadromous fish, endangered species, and fish habitat
Economic analysis of agricultural vs. municipal or environmental water use
The Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Group (86-68290)
conducts field and laboratory studies to:
- Determine the abundance, distribution, behavior, habitat characteristics, and food sources of native fish species to understand and minimize adverse impacts and to enhance the sustainability of native fishes
- Understand and minimize barriers to fish passage
- Understand and minimize effects of fish entrainment
The Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Group Group also conducts hydroacoustic fishery studies.
Geotechnical Engineering (86-68311, 86-68312, 86-68313)
Environmentally oriented geo-technical projects
Geology, Geophysics, and Seismotechtonics (86-68320)
Geologic analysis for environmental restoration
Seismotectonics and Geophysics (86-68321)
Environmental assessment
Mechanical Equipment (86-68410)
Fish and moss screens
Fish handling equipment
The lab is working to improve fish passage technologies for native and sport fisheries for both warm and cold water species. The laboratory builds test facilities in their 54,000 square foot lab and conducts field demonstration to design and evaluation of fish ladders and fish locks for small diversion dams and fish pumps for screen bypasses. |
 |
Sedimentation and River Hydraulics (86-68240) can:
- Provide riparian vegetation modeling
- Analyze links between physical river processes and fish and wildlife habitat
Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services (86-68560) performs studies on reservoir selective withdrawal, fish protection and passage, aquatic habitat restoration, water quality, river sediment flushing, reservoir and river sedimentation related to hydraulic structures, and erosion control.
Land Suitability and Water Quality (86-68570)
- Land Classification: We classify lands for irrigation suitability; correlating soil, topography, and drainage characteristics with the economic factors of land development and crop production. The group also analyzes the suitability of land resources for revegetation/restoration projects and resource management plans.
- Aquatic restoration and wetland management - We provide the analyses needed for restoration of aquatic functions for water quality and habitat improvement; constructed wetlands and passive treatment systems; watershed planning, site characterization, conceptual design, and reuse assessment.
Please contact a client liaison (303) 445-2561 to help you get the most efficient services for your needs.