Mike Hildebrand

Biography

Mike has been conducting fisheries research for over 20 years. He began as a technician in 1993, and became a biologist in 2000. He has project management and research experience with many freshwater habitats and species throughout Western Canada and the US. Mike has conducted studies involving fish habitat use, spawning studies (White Sturgeon, Rainbow Trout, and Mountain Whitefish), hydroelectric project impact assessments, stream surveys, habitat assessments, fish health, genetics, population estimates, telemetry, invertebrates, water quality, egg incubation, and larval emergence/dispersal. Mike led the first 5 years (2002 to 2006) of a study of hatchery released juvenile White Sturgeon into the Columbia River (Revelstoke Dam in BC to Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State). This program assessed the distribution, abundance, survival, growth, condition, habitat use, and movement of these fish. He led a 3-year project that monitored the transboundary White Sturgeon population in the Columbia River using sonic and radio telemetry. These studies required collaboration among multiple agencies, and the management and analysis of big data. 

Highlights of Mike’s project experience include the discovery of a White Sturgeon spawning area near the Columbia and Kootenay rivers confluence, as well as determining that White Sturgeon eggs successfully reach the larval stage below Revelstoke Dam (which indicated that larval predation, rather than hatch success is likely more limiting on the Middle Columbia River population). Mike worked to build First Nations capacity and train members of the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) to conduct juvenile White Sturgeon research in the Middle Columbia River from 2010 to 2014, after which the ONA conducted the work independently. Mike has presented research findings at international conferences such as the 4th World Fisheries Congress in Vancouver (2004) and the 4th annual Sturgeon and Paddlefish Conference in Nanaimo (2011).

Areas of Expertise

• Environmental Assessment – pre- and post-project assessments in small (e.g., habitat structures in a creek, mine impacts) and large streams (e.g., hydroelectric facilities) 
• Freshwater fish – including population assessments and estimates, habitat assessments and use, spawning studies, telemetry, ecology, and egg incubation 
• Fish health – comparative tissue and DNA studies 
• Experience with water quality, invertebrate, and periphyton sampling 
• Federal and Provincial fisheries permitting 
• Experimental design and implementation, including project management and following Health and Safety protocols 
• Data analysis and reporting 
• Fish sampling techniques 

Education

• B.Sc., Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Major in Conservation Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (1999) 

Professional Experience

• 2020 – present. Lotic Environmental. Senior Fisheries Biologist. 
• 2018 - 2019. Golder Associates Ltd. Environmental Field Technician. 
• 2001 – 2015. Golder Associates Ltd. Fisheries Biologist. 
• 1993 – 2001. Golder Associates Ltd. Environmental Technician. 

Professional Memberships and Training

• Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio. #1547), British Columbia
• Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C (expires 28 August, 2021)
• Swiftwater Safety Rescue Technician Level 2 (expires 3 July, 2022)
• Marine Emergency Duties for Small Non-pleasure Vessels (MED A3), 2011
• Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), 2010
• Malaspina University College, BC Backpack Electrofishing Crew Supervisor Certification, 1999 (M.O.E. Approved); and Identification of Freshwater Fishes of BC, 2002
• WHMIS 2015 for Workers, (2018)
• Canada Safety Council UTV Training Course (2019)

Publications/Technical Reports

1. Hildebrand, M., S. Usvyatsov, and D. Roscoe. 2013. Middle Columbia River juvenile White Sturgeon monitoring: 2012 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 12-1492-0053: 42 p. + 2 app. 
2. Hildebrand, L., A. Lin, D. Fissel, and M. Hildebrand. 2013. Effects of the Revelstoke 6 Project on near-bottom velocity conditions in the Revelstoke White Sturgeon spawning area. Prepared for BC Hydro, Burnaby, BC by Golder Associates Ltd., Castlegar, BC and ASL Environmental Sciences Inc., Victoria, BC. 17 pp. + 1 app. 
3. Hildebrand, M. 2012. Middle Columbia River juvenile White Sturgeon monitoring: 2011 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC by Golder Associates Ltd. Report No. 11-1492-0035F: 22 p. + 2 app. 
4. Hildebrand, M. 2012. Middle Columbia River White Sturgeon spawn monitoring: 2011 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC by Golder Associates Ltd. Report No. 11-1492-0071F: 21 p. + 1 app. 
5. Hildebrand, M. 2010. Middle Columbia River white sturgeon spawn monitoring: 2009 investigations data report. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No. 09-1480-0044F: 20 p. + 2 app. 
6. Hildebrand, M. 2010. White sturgeon spawning at Waneta, 2009 investigations. Data report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No. 09-1480-0034F: 20 p. + 1 app. 
7. Hildebrand, M., L. Hildebrand, and D. Schmidt. 2010. Middle Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring: 2009 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No. 09-1480-0045F: 47 p. + 3 app. 
8. Hildebrand, M. 2009. Middle Columbia River white sturgeon spawn monitoring study: 2008 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 08-1480-0029F: 24 p. + 2 app. 
9. Hildebrand, M. 2009. Monitoring of juvenile white sturgeon habitat use and movements of sonic-tagged sturgeon: 2008 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 08-1480-0030F: 34 p. + 3 app. 
10. Hildebrand, M. 2009. Lower Columbia River adult white sturgeon monitoring: 2008 investigations data report. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No. 08-1480-0032F: 32 p. + 2 app. 
11. Hildebrand, M. 2009. Lower Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon detection: 2008 investigations data report. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No. 08-1480-0040F: 24 p. + 2 app. 
12. Hildebrand, M. 2009. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring: Phase 5 investigations, November 2006. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 06-1480-049F: 66 p. + 6 app. 
13. Hildebrand, M. 2008. Middle Columbia River white sturgeon spawn monitoring study: 2007 investigations data report. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 07-1480-0053F: 12 p. + plates + 2 app. 
14. Hildebrand, M. 2008. Lower Columbia River white sturgeon early life history sampling: 2007 investigations. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report No. 07-1480-0036F: 13 p. + 1 app. 
15. Hildebrand, M. 2008. Middle Columbia River monitoring of juvenile white sturgeon and habitat use and monitoring movements of sonic-tagged sturgeon, 2007 – 2008. Data report prepared for BC Hydro, Revelstoke, B.C. Golder Report no. 07-1480-0069F: 25 p. + 3 app. 
16. Hildebrand, M. 2006. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Synthesis Report, 1 November 2003 - 31 March 2006. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 05-1480-025D: 52 p. + 2 app. 
17. Hildebrand, M. 2006. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring: Phase 4 investigations, 2005 - 2006. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 05-1480-058D: 70 p. + 6 app. 
18. Hildebrand, M. 2006. A synthesis of white sturgeon investigations in Arrow Lakes Reservoir, BC. 1995 - 2003. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 04-1480-016F: 61 p. + plates + 11 app. 
19. Hildebrand, M. 2006. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Quarterly Report No. 7, 1 October to 31 December 2005. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q7F: 9 p. 
20. Hildebrand, M. 2005. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Annual Report No. 2, 1 April 2004 - 31 March 2005. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078A2F: 22 p. + 2 app. 
21. Hildebrand, M. 2005. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring, Phase 3 investigations, August 2004 - February 2005. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 04‑1480-051D: 68 p. 6 app. 
22. Hildebrand, M. 2005. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring, Phase 2 investigations, fall 2003 - spring 2004. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 03‑1480-034F: 44 p. + plates + 2 app. 
23. Hildebrand, M. 2005. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Quarterly Report No. 6, 1 July to 30 September 2005. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q6F: 10 p. 
24. Hildebrand, M. 2005. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Quarterly Report No. 5, 1 April to 30 June 2005. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q5F: 11 p. 
25. Hildebrand, M. 2004. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Quarterly Report No. 3, 1 July to 30 September 2004. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q3F: 8 p. 
26. Hildebrand, M. 2004. Pre- and post-operation biological monitoring of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir spoils area and Columbia River eddy habitats, 1998 - 1999 and 2003 - 2004. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-024/025D: 96 p. + 3 app. 
27. Hildebrand, M. 2004. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: 2003 - 2004 Annual Report. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078A1F: 15 p. + 3 app. 
28. Hildebrand, M. 2004. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management program: Quarterly Report No. 2, 31 March to 30 June 2004. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q2F: 22 p. + 1 app. 
29. Hildebrand, M. 2004. Waneta Expansion Project: Examination of velocity characteristics in Waneta Eddy in relation to overwintering use by juvenile white sturgeon, March 2004. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 04-1480-019D: 19 p. + 1 app. 
30. Hildebrand, M. 2003. Lower Duncan River fish and aquatic habitat study, fall 2002. Data Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 022-8042F: 24 p. + 2 app. 
31. Hildebrand, M. 2003. Upper Columbia white sturgeon stock monitoring and data management 2003-2006. Quarterly Report No. 1, 31 December 2003. Report prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Nelson, BC. Golder Report No. 03-1480-078Q1F: 12 p. + 1 app. 
32. Hildebrand, M. 2003. Upper Columbia River juvenile white sturgeon monitoring, Phase 1 investigations, fall 2002. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 0228046F: 33 p. + 2 app. 
33. Hildebrand, M. 2002. Brilliant Expansion Project: Population estimate of rainbow trout in Brilliant Headpond, 2001. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 012-8972F: 19 p. + 2 app. 
34. Hildebrand, M. 2002. Brilliant Expansion Project: Pre-project biological monitoring in the Brilliant Headpond and Brilliant Dam Tailwater areas. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. R.L. & L. Report No. 0028831D: 45 p. + 3 app. 
35. Hildebrand, M. 2002. Brilliant Upgrade Project: Rainbow trout radio telemetry program in Brilliant Headpond, 2000 - 2001. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 002-8832F: 23 p. + 3 app. 
36. Hildebrand, M. 2002. Waneta Expansion Project: Assessment of fish use in the Waneta area, 2001 investigations. Report prepared for Columbia Power Corporation, Castlegar, BC. Golder Report No. 0128967F: 43 p. + 3 app. 
37. Hildebrand, M. 2001. Fish population assessment of the lower Pend Oreille River. Report prepared for the City of Seattle, City Light Department, Seattle, WA. R.L. & L. Report No. 695B-D: 52 p. + 2 app. 
38. Hildebrand, M. 2000. Receptor species information ecological risk assessment, Trail, BC. Prepared for Teck Cominco, Trail, BC. R.L. & L. Report No. 0028830. 

Hildebrand, M. 1999. Review of information on the fish resources of the lower Pend Oreille River. Report prepared for Seattle City Light, Seattle, Washington. R.L. & L. Report No. 695F: 22 p.