Full 3D IFIM habitat suitability analysis — an advanced PHABSIM with hydrodynamics, water quality, sediment, and toxics.
Assessing instream habitat suitability is a core requirement for hydroelectric dam licensing, water withdrawal permitting, and river management. The Instream Flow Incremental Method (IFIM) relies on models that can simulate depth, velocity, and water quality at a level of detail that matters to aquatic species.
EEMS performs full IFIM analysis as an advanced 3D version of PHABSIM, adding water quality, sediment transport, and toxics to what traditional tools offer. Where PHABSIM and River2D are limited to 2D and physical habitat only, EEMS brings the full power of 3D hydrodynamics to species habitat assessment.
DSI built a 2D hydrodynamic, sediment, toxics, and water quality model for the Lower Athabasca River, including a dedicated habitat analysis for fish species native to the river. The study provided a thorough environmental baseline for an area of active oil sands development.
As part of the multi-phase Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Project, EEMS was used to link salinity model outputs to fish habitat criteria in the Lower St. Johns River. This habitat analysis was a required step before the dredging project could proceed. Read the external publication →
