Piper Benjamin

Environmental Scientist/Ecologist

Piper Benjamin is an environmental scientist specializing in fish biology. Her main project involved the simulation of fish passage through the turbines of hydroelectric dams. In this project, hyper/hypobaric chambers were used to expose juvenile salmonids to various pressure scenarios, after which necropsies were performed on these fish to assess internal and external injuries and mortalities. In addition, Piper has been trained to surgically implant acoustic and PIT tags into juvenile salmonids, and has extensive experience as a fish surgeon in evaluating the effects of barotrauma.  

Piper’s field experience includes; fish identification, the use of fyke nets and cast nets, electro-fishing techniques (with boats), backpack shockers, elastomere marking, floy tagging, lavaging stomach contents, and the retrieval of otilith bones. Piper has collected stream habitat data including; Rosgen stream channel typing, wolman pebble counts, and woody debris classification. She has also timed creeks for the use of antimyacin, taken flow measurements, and performed cross-sections of streams. 

In addition to her fisheries experience, Piper has scanned for waterfowl to document behavior, collected small rodents using pitfall trapping, collected secchi disk readings, and performed plankton tows. She also has conducted extensive research and background investigation on facility operational history, waste site remediation, and soil contamination to support the RI/FS process.

Education & Certifications