Ecological engineering

Watercourses are dynamic and complex environments, and our multidisciplinary team ensures that all aspects are considered to bring your water-related projects to a successful conclusion.

Whether your project is in an urban, forest or agricultural setting, we offer the following services:

• Watercourse detour and redevelopment
• Stream cleaning
• Improvement of the morphological quality index (MQI) of a watercourse
• Restoration of disturbed banks
• Hydrological erosion control
• Culvert design
• Identification of thresholds
• Development or preservation of fish habitat
• Drawings and specifications with cost estimates, work supervision
• Hydrological and hydraulic study

Depending on the target species and the nature of the work, our team of environmental and wildlife habitat development engineers and professionals will select the most appropriate solution to meet your needs.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the many types of development our team can help you with:

• Turtle habitat development
• Improvement of the environmental quality index of watercourses
• Fish habitat development
• Development of hibernacula and and habitats for herpetofauna
• Design of habitats for avifauna
• Design of road wildlife crossings for small and large wildlife
• Design of riprap pre-dams for beaver control
• Revegetation of riparian buffer strips with species adapted to the ecosystemic functions of the environment

The use of phytotechnologies offers solutions based on the use of the mechanical and biological properties of plants to respond to a wide variety of environmental problems or issues linked to the dynamics of watercourses.

The field of plant engineering offers a variety of techniques combining the use of phytotechnologies and inert materials to address a wide range of erosion and watercourse management issues.

We can support you in your projects for the rehabilitation of eroding banks, protection and surface stabilization of slopes, creation of bioretention cells, phytoremediation and design of filtering marshes.

Our team factors in the specifics of the site (soil, type of erosion, climatic and hydrological constraints, etc.) to propose the best solution.

Following are a few examples of plant engineering elements that can be used:

• Cuttings
• Faggots
• Brushwood mats
• Branch mats
• Seedlings
• Vegetated riprap
• Combination of several technologies

This is achieved through bioretention areas that maximize infiltration, storage and slow release of runoff, while improving landscape aesthetics compared to typical structures.

Whether you need assistance to comply with municipal regulations on stormwater management or to improve the aesthetics of your water management system, our team will be pleased to propose solutions adapted to your situation.

Examples of our residential stormwater management solutions include:

• Rain gardens
• Vegetated drainage swales
• Vegetated stormwater retention basins

In addition to the development of trails and paths in natural environments, we also design wooden structures such as:

• Sidewalks
• Footbridges for pedestrians or small vehicles
• Pedestrian bridges
• Staircases
• Belvederes
• etc.

Structures are designed to minimize impact on sensitive natural environments, protect surrounding ecosystems, preserve vegetation, promote the diversity of the landscapes crossed, and reduce the ecological footprint of projects, notably by using recycled wood.

Bank erosion is a natural process that causes slopes to recede along shorelines, sometimes threatening infrastructure assets located near water environments. We use various techniques to control this erosion, including rehabilitation and stabilization of banks using mixed techniques such as vegetated riprap, or using phytotechnologies alone.

Here are the steps involved in rehabilitating and stabilizing eroding banks or slopes:

• Field visit and identification of problems
• Hydrological and hydraulic study (if required)
• Preparation of drawings and specifications
• Cost estimates
• Site supervision
• Application for certificates of authorization from MELCCFP and DFO
• Technical surveys and land surveying
• Characterization of natural environments
• Technical advice on watercourse mobility
• Request for authorization from the municipality concerned

As part of work supervision, we ensure compliance with the client’s qualitative, quantitative and administrative requirements, as well as with the legal, normative and regulatory requirements for project-related activities.

On-site presence is ensured by one of our professionals holding a general certification in terms of health and safety on construction sites (ASP construction).