Basic Principles of Stream Restoration

D. Allen Hughes, P.E.

Course Outline

Introduction to Fluvial Processes
Stream Assessment and Survey Procedures
Rosgen Stream-Classification Systems/ Channel Assessment and Validation Procedures
Bankfull Verification and Gage Station Analyses
Priority Options for Restoring Incised Streams
Reference Reach Survey
Design Procedures  
Structures
Vegetation Stabilization and Riparian-Buffer Re-establishment
Erosion and Sediment-Control Plan
Flood Studies
Restoration Evaluation and Monitoring

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will have learned or been exposed to the following:

• Introduction to Fluvial Processes;
• Bankfull Discharge, Velocity and Stage;
• Natural Channel Stability;
• Stream channel dimension, Pattern, Profile and Features;
• Biological Considerations of Stream Restoration;
• Stream Assessment and Survey Procedures;
• Watershed Drainage Area Measurement;
• Land-use Survey;
• Bankfull Identification and Verification;
• Substrate Analysis;
• Bar, Pavement and Subpavement Sampling Methods and Scour Chains;
• Assessing Riparian Condition;
• Rosgen Stream-Classification System/Channel Assessment and Validation Procedures;
• Stream Gage Survey Procedure;
• Priority Options for Restoring Incised Streams and Case Studies;
• Longitudinal Profile;
• Pool and Riffle Cross-Section Survey;
• Plan-Form Measurements;
• Reference Reach Survey;
• Sediment Transport;
• Stream Crossings;
• Structures and Design Features
for Habitat Enhancements;
• Vegetation Stabilization and Riparian-Buffer Re-establishment;
• Salvaging On-Site Vegetation;
• Live Staking;
• Bare-Root Plantings;
• Container Plant Material;
• Permanent Seeding;
• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan;
• Pollution Control;
• Flood Studies; and
• Evaluation and Monitoring.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for use by engineers, planners, stream restoration contractors and landscape architects.

Benefit to Attendees

Students will gain an understanding from this course of the benefits of natural methods of stream restoration. The course content may also be useful as a guide for developing a stream restoration plan.

Course Introduction

This course is based on the publication, Stream Restoration: A Natural Channel Design Handbook. The techniques and methodologies described in this course document are evolving rapidly.

Course Content

The content of this course is a handbook titled “Restoration: A Natural Channel Design Handbook” prepared by North Carolina Stream Restoration Institute.

Restoration: A Natural Channel Design Handbook

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

This course demonstrates the basic elements of stream restoration. Educating engineers, planners and restoration contractors on the natural channel designs as well as evaluation and monitoring are the key concepts gained from this course.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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