Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Technology in Aquatic Monitoring and Regulatory Compliance
CLEAN CURRENTS 2026
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Day: 9/22/2026
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The purpose of this workshop is to introduce hydropower professionals to the fundamentals, practical insights and applications, lessons learned, and proven approaches for successfully incorporating eDNA technology into hydropower operations, licensing studies, and environmental compliance programs.
Through real-world project examples across multiple regions and regulatory contexts, participants will explore how eDNA has been used to detect rare, cryptic, or seasonal species, such as migratory fish, freshwater mussels, amphibians, and invasive species.
A central focus of the workshop will be the strategic value of eDNA for hydropower operations. We will discuss its role in supporting ESA Section 7 consultation, FERC licensing studies, biological monitoring plans, entrainment and impingement evaluations, and habitat connectivity assessments.
The workshop also will highlight cost saving opportunities, such as reducing multi-day field surveys, improving early detection of high-risk invasive species, and supporting long term monitoring programs where repeated sampling is required.
Finally, faculty will address practical challenges, including sample contamination risks, false positives/negatives, spatial scale considerations, and regulatory acceptance, with the objective to provide guidance on developing robust quality assurance protocols.
Key Learning Objectives:
- How eDNA is collected from water, sediment, or biofilms
- How molecular laboratory methods such as qPCR, ddPCR, and metabarcoding are used to detect individual target species or entire aquatic communities
- How to interpret results within operational and regulatory contexts
Participants will leave the workshop with a toolkit of best practices for designing and implementing eDNA studies tailored to hydropower project needs. This includes guidance on sample collection design, laboratory method selection, data interpretation, and communicating results to resource agencies and stakeholders.
Who Should Attend
Whether you are new to eDNA or exploring opportunities to incorporate it into ongoing monitoring programs, this workshop will provide actionable strategies for leveraging molecular tools to enhance environmental performance and meet regulatory requirements in a changing ecological and regulatory landscape.
Background on the Topic
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has rapidly emerged as one of the most promising tools for aquatic monitoring, species detection, and environmental compliance, often offering improved sensitivity, efficiency, and scalability compared to conventional survey methods such as netting, trapping, and electrofishing.
As hydropower operators face regulatory expectations and compliance related to endangered species monitoring, habitat assessment, and adaptive management, eDNA provides a powerful opportunity to advance environmental stewardship while reducing operational time and field risk.
