Author: Andrew Wilson

Converging factors affecting the Bow River basin

Note:  the following content was retired and replaced by the next phase of the Water Nexus project.   However, in light of the current water shortage concerns (as of March, 2024), we […]

Forest Management

Managing our Forested Landscape  In Alberta, the department of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) manages forests and forest resources. The government encourages the forest industry to implement forest management […]

How do Reservoirs Operate?

Reservoir Operation Reservoir operators monitor the water level of the reservoir as well as flow downstream. A certain quantity of water needs to be released from a reservoir to maintain […]

Dam and Reservoir Design

An engineering design must be created before a reservoir and dam can be constructed. The design will take into account information provided by hydrologists, geologists and surveyors on how the […]

Lifecycle of a Dam and Reservoir

Designing and building a dam and reservoir is a feat of engineering. A great deal of effort is required to design, construct, operate and maintain a dam and reservoir, and […]

Impacts of Dams and Reservoirs

Dams and reservoirs can have both positive and negative economic, environmental and social impacts.  The construction of a dam can result in the generation of hydroelectric power. This can help […]

Forest Disturbances and Future Considerations

Mega-Fires Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, BC Canada. Photo by kerry rawlinson on Unsplash Forests fires are a natural occurrence that can benefit local ecology by removing the litter layer, replenishing […]

Forest Industry

Forestry Industry in Alberta Types of Harvesting Clearcutting – All trees in an area are removed. This is often done in pine forests and benefits wildlife that eat insects. Clearcutting […]

Forest Hydrology

Water and Forests Evapotranspiration refers to a portion of the hydrologic cycle where water vapour enters the atmosphere. The primary process, evaporation, occurs when the sun heats oceans, rivers, lakes, […]

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Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.