Winter 2027 Short Course: River Sediment Dynamics

Registration opens soon!

In partnership with Portland State University, This course is delivered by river scientists and engineers with decades of experience in studying, explaining, and modeling sediment transport. It focuses on how sediment transport theory and practice can be applied in river restoration design. Topics covered include both the fluvial and biological processes responsible for erosion, transport and deposition of sediment within rivers; providing a fundamental understanding of how sediment dynamics drive the genesis, adjustment, and evolution of channels, floodplains and other alluvial features. The course is designed to inform students how sediment dynamics can be investigated and accounted for in the specific context of river restoration. Key points will be illustrated using case-studies. There will be 8 x 2-hour online classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January 2027, followed by a full-day, practical class at Skamania Lodge on February 1 that is best taken in-person, but can be taken remotely by a limited number of students unable to travel to Skamania Lodge.

Dr. Colin Thorne is Emeritus Chair of Physical Geography at the University of Nottingham, UK. He earned his BSc and PhD in Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia under the supervision of Dr. Richard Hey and his early professional career was mentored by Dr. Daryl Simons and Dr. Stanley A. Schumm at Colorado State University. In a career spanning five decades, Colin has researched and taught not only at Nottingham and CSU, but also London University, Canterbury University (New Zealand), the USDA National Sedimentation Laboratory, US Army Waterways Experiment Station and NOAA Fisheries (Santa Rosa, CA). His research on fluvial  and bio geomorphology, sediment transport, and river restoration extends from upland, gravel-bed rivers to large, lowland, sand-bed rivers. Colin’s contribution to knowledge has been recognized by professional organizations ranging from the American Society of Civil Engineers (Collingwood Prize) to the Royal Geographical Society of London (Back Award for Policy-leading Research).

Steve Winter is a hydrologist and geomorphologist with a focus on wetlands, streams, and rivers in Washington, Oregon, and California. He has over 20 years of experience in managing projects ranging from small scale investigations to some of the largest restoration efforts in Puget Sound. His particular focus of understanding is the interplay between physical and ecological processes working to achieve ecological restoration goals. Steve has extensive hydrologic and hydraulic modeling experience in support of restoration design efforts in complex areas including road crossings, outlet channels to connect off channel habitats, large wood design, and development of sediment budgets for estuary restoration projects. Steve has led design development for many stream, estuary and nearshore restoration projects, including the implementation phase working with contractors to get projects in the ground.

Mason Lacy is a water resources engineer with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) and Recreation Engineering & Planning (REP) in Bend, OR whose work focuses on river restoration design and analysis. He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and his Masters in Water Resources Engineering from Arizona State University. His graduate studies focused on fluvial processes and hydraulic modeling. Mason has been involved in many river engineering projects including dam removals, fish passage, and stream simulation culverts. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. In his free time, Mason enjoys immersing himself in the fluvial environment, literally – in a whitewater kayak.

Dr. Brian Bledsoe is Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia where he directs the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems.  Brian has over 30 years of experience as a civil and environmental engineer, hydrologist, and environmental scientist in the private and public sectors.  He holds degrees from Georgia Tech, North Carolina State University, and Colorado State University.  Before entering the professorate, he worked as a consulting engineer and surveyor, and for the State of North Carolina as a watershed restoration engineer.  Brian’s research is focused on the interface of engineering, hydrology, and ecology with an emphasis on infrastructure, stormwater and flood management, water quality, and restoration of river and wetland ecosystems.  He received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2006, served as a Fulbright Scholar in Chile in 2008, was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2017, and is past president of the American Ecological Engineering Society.

Travis Stroth is a Senior Resilience Engineer with the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) at the University of Georgia (UGA) and PhD student with advisor Dr. Brian Bledsoe. He received his MS in Civil Engineering with a focus in hydraulics and stream restoration at Colorado State University also working with Dr. Bledsoe. His master’s research focused on using sediment transport analyses in river restoration design. He then worked for 10 years in consulting as a water resource engineer based in Colorado working on projects across the western U.S. developing specialties in river restoration design and implementation, watershed assessment, hydraulic and sediment transport modeling, and applied research. With IRIS at UGA, he has expanded his experience into flood resilience modeling, planning, and communication including incorporating climate change into infrastructure design. Travis has developed a passion for bridging academia and practice to expand ways engineering can support both humans and the environment using multi-disciplinary perspectives, accessible scientific communication, and collaboration with communities.