2007 RRNW Symposium Short Course Abstracts

Sediment transport for gravel-bed streams: concepts, tools, and application to stream restoration
Full-Day Course
Peter Wilcock and Jack Schmidt

Sediment transport processes and prediction and their application to stream channel design. We will consider the problem of accurately estimating transport rates, including empirical and theoretical approaches, sources of error, and methods for working with uncertainty. We then evaluate the appropriate application of hydraulic and sediment transport principles to different kinds of channel design problems, including the question of when and where we even need to worry about sediment transport. Previous experience with sediment transport modeling is not required, although some experience with flow and transport in stream channels will be useful. A variety of open-source software tools will be distributed and demonstrated.

Peter Wilcock is Professor in the Department of Geography & Environmental Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and Director of the Stream Restoration Project at the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics. His research and teaching focus is on erosion and sedimentation processes and their role in stream restoration and river management.

Stream physical condition is increasingly a priority for resource managers. Assessment, monitoring and restoration techniques continue to be developed and standardized. Toward these ends a suite of spreadsheet tools, the STREAM Modules, has been developed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio State University. This ongoing project began in 1998 and currently freely provides the following modules: 1) Reference Reach Spreadsheet for reducing channel survey data and calculating basic bankfull hydraulic characteristics, 2) Regime Equations for determining the dimensions of typical channel form, 3) Meander Pattern that dimensions a simple arc and line best fit of the sine-generated curve, 4) Cross-section and Profile that can be used to illustrate the difference between existing and proposed channel form, 5) Sediment Equations which includes expanded and condensed forms of critical dimensionless shear, boundary roughness and common bed load equations, 6) a Lane Balance tool; 7) a spreadsheet for calculating the Effective Discharge from historic suspended sediment data from USGS gages; and finally 8) Contrasting Channels that computes hydraulic and bed load characteristics in a side-by-side comparison of two channels of different user defined forms. The workshop will use a case study to: introduce channel-forming discharge concepts; discuss key issues and measurements in stream geomorphology and watershed hydrology; and to provide hands-on instruction on using the STREAM Modules.

The Stream Habitat Restoration Guidelines is one of a series of guidance documents being developed by the Aquatic Habitat Guidelines (AHG) Program. AHG is a joint effort among state and federal resource management agencies in Washington, including the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, Transportation, and Natural Resources; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. A part of this effort is to examine and analyze fish passage potential at roadways.

FishXing 3 is a unique software tool for the assessment and design of culverts for fish passage. FishXing models the complexities of culvert hydraulics and fish performance for a variety of species and crossing configurations. The model has proven useful in identifying culverts that impede fish passage, leading to the removal of numerous barriers. As a design tool, FishXing accommodates the iterative process of designing a new culvert to provide passage for fish and other aquatic species.

FishXing is an interactive software package that integrates a culvert design and assessment model for fish passage. The software models organism capabilities against culvert hydraulics across a range of expected stream discharges. Water surface profiles can be calculated for a variety of culvert shapes using gradually varied flow equations. The program then compares the flows, velocities and leap conditions with the swimming abilities of the fish species of interest. The output includes tables and graphs summarizing the water velocities, water depths, and outlet conditions, then lists the limiting fish passage factors and flows for each culvert.

Version 3 is a complete rewrite of previous versions based on user feedback and our own experience in the field of fish passage and engineering. There are many new features that have been added to this version.

Correct site specific selection, handling, and installation of plant materials and seeds are critical to the success of nearly all restoration projects. Working with the site characteristics, knowing the strengths and special requirements of the plants selected can make the difference between a mediocre and successful project. Basic plant selection options, delivery and onsite care, and helpful installation tricks of the trade will all be discussed for basic project success in upland and wetland sites.

The instructors, Dennis O'Connor and Deb Keammerer, each have the experience of numerous stream restoration projects in a wide range of climatic and hydrologic settings.