Environmental monitoring · Nelson, BC
We measure the water communities rely on. Continuous streamflow, water quality and snowpack data that is complete, accurate and yours to use.
Your decisions depend on reliable data. We deliver it complete, accurate and in your hands, using innovation to keep the cost down and the quality up.
The core of our business is helping clients understand their natural water resources, and to do so, we use innovative techniques to improve efficiency while never sacrificing quality.
Core services
One team for the creek and the tap. We measure how much water your creek carries, and we report on the quality of the water you drink. See how each one works in under three minutes.
The creek
We monitor streams to BC’s RISC hydrometric standards. As qualified professionals, we install stations of every type, built around your site and budget, and run each project start to finish. Leaders in station design, sensors and data processing, we look after more than 30 streamflow stations.
The tap
We audit your plant and lab data every week, and when something looks wrong we ask your operator. Each month it becomes one report your health authority opens online, and each year a public report anyone can read. We already do this for a BC municipal water system.
Innovation at work
Collecting the data is half the job. What happens to it next is where we stand apart.
How we process it
Software for this is usually expensive and rigid, so we built our own. Every reading is corrected, checked and graded in one place. It produces better data at a lower cost.
More about the Hydro ProcessorWhat you get
An interactive page, not a spreadsheet attachment. Explore the full record, compare year against year, and take the numbers into your own spreadsheet. If there is a view of your data you want, we can build it.
Open client data access
Newfoundland or Nicaragua, it makes no difference. Send us your logger files, or we’ll set up an automatic export, and we will process your data and put it online for you, on a password-protected page or open to the public.
How we measure flow
We measure a creek’s flow by salt dilution. A known amount of salt goes in upstream, and a probe downstream reads how salty the water gets as it passes. The more water there is, the more the salt is diluted. Press Pour Salt to watch one measurement worked out, then see where it lands on the creek’s rating curve.
This is an example creek with example numbers, to show the method.
Our clients
Municipality
The City’s water, measured from the source creeks to the tap.
Read the 2025 annual report (opens in a new tab)
Environmental organization
Our largest program: a network of 25 creek, lake and wetland stations in the Columbia Basin.
See their data (Living Lakes Canada)
Forestry operation
Streamflow and water quality monitoring on the creeks of the Harrop-Procter Community Forest, in support of its forestry operations.
See their data and reports
Forestry operation
SIFCo funds the monitoring of Winlaw Creek, in the area of its operations.
See their data (Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative)
Private landowners
Private unless you want it public. Your data is yours, and you choose who sees it.
Talk to us about your creekWho we are
Kootenay Environmental Innovations is a hydrology company first and foremost, and a data analysis company right behind it. Rory started it in Nelson, BC in 2017 as a one-person consultancy. We have grown every year since, as we have built the capacity to do more for more clients.
We intend to keep growing: more clients and a bigger team. We think the service we offer is the best around, at the best price.
Principal
Rory has been working in hydrometric monitoring to support municipalities since 2010. He founded Kootenay Environmental Innovations in 2017 after moving to Nelson and seeing a need for environmental monitoring services in the area. He has a degree in Environmental Engineering Technology, and considers himself an expert in Excel. He strives to find new and innovative ways to help clients achieve their data needs. Outside of work, you’ll find Rory on his gravel bike or skate skiing.
Hydrometric Technician
Cameron joined Kootenay Environmental Innovations (KEI) in 2025 after completing the Integrated Environmental Planning diploma. His skills in field work, environmental monitoring, and GIS mapping and analysis are an asset to the team. Cameron is known for streamlining systems and his strong attention to detail. He has a background in tree planting and silviculture surveying, which informs his practical approach to environmental work. In his spare time, Cameron is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and musical producer, and enjoys getting outside to ski and rock climb.
Hydrometric Technician
Originally from the French Alps, Allie joined Kootenay Environmental Innovations in 2026 after completing her degree in Environmental Science from McGill University. Her background includes hydrological monitoring, project coordination, and communications. Her fieldwork has taken her to Uganda, where she studied the effects of water quality and accessibility on community health. In her spare time, she can be found chasing powder days at Whitewater, rock climbing, or cozied up with a cup of tea planning her next backpacking trip.
Office Administration
Anne has been doing the office administration for Kootenay Environmental Innovations since 2017. Her background is in civil engineering, but she has a keen eye for detail and an unusual appreciation for forms and procedures. Anne is involved with accounts payable, safety management, reporting, and accounting at KEI. In her free time she is a Girl Guider and tries to keep up with Rory.
