Ashley Ficke is a water resources and ecology professional at GEI Consultants whose work focuses on the intersection of aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, and river management. With experience evaluating how infrastructure, flow regimes, and restoration strategies affect fish and aquatic habitat, Ashley brings a science-driven, systems-level perspective to complex water challenges. 

In a recent feature in Headwaters Magazine, Ashley highlighted the growing challenges facing native fish species across Colorado’s river systems, particularly on the Eastern Plains. “Most of our plains fishes are declining or locally extinct because of habitat modification or loss,” she noted, pointing to how water diversions, channelization, and reduced habitat complexity have fundamentally altered riverine environments and strained already vulnerable species. 

Ashley’s expertise spans aquatic ecology, fisheries conditions, and water resource decision-making, allowing her to translate technical science into practical guidance for clients and stakeholders. Her work reflects GEI’s commitment to integrating ecological insight into sustainable water solutions that protect both natural systems and the communities that rely on them.

We asked Ashley a few questions about her work, projects, and hope for the future

What are you most passionate about in your work? 

No question here: native fishes! Many are not game fishes and/or are small, so they tend to be written off as “trash fish”. But they are magnificent in their ability to survive harsh and unpredictable environments, and some of the smaller species are quite lovely, with colors that rival the tropical species that some folks keep as pets.

What are some of the most exciting projects you work on?

In the last year, we’ve had the opportunity to work on restoration projects in several states, and they have involved designing fish passage structures, fish barriers (to protect native species from invasive species), and channel restoration. The ones I enjoy most are those that help native species of all sizes, regardless of their economic importance.

What is the biggest need/challenge you experience in your work on water resources? 

Our biggest challenge in the Rocky Mountain Region is the scarcity of water. All of the climate projections I’ve seen point to a warmer, drier climate in the future, but water demand is not decreasing. We spend a large amount of time demonstrating why fish need a natural flow regime, or at least a managed flow regime that maintains natural stream processes, to survive.

What makes you hopeful about the future of fisheries? 

Honestly, until we fundamentally rethink how water is managed in the Rocky Mountain Region, and until we stop trying to create a green oasis in a semi-arid environment (that is quite beautiful in its natural state), all of us in fisheries face an uphill battle at best. What gives me hope, though, are research results and creative ideas aimed at keeping fish on the landscape in an increasingly modified world. These come from my friends and colleagues across many different disciplines, and they’re truly inspiring.

GEI Consultants is a consulting engineering and environmental firm that delivers professional services that improve our world’s built environment. With more than 1,500 staff and more than 60 offices in North America, GEI is a leader in providing multi-disciplined engineering and environmental services to a range of private and public sector clients, both domestically and abroad.