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American Fisheries Society Virtual Workshop: Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes

March 2, 2022

Sponsors

WATS
AFS CO/WY
Anabranch Solutions

Description

This half-day virtual workshop was presented as part of the American Fisheries Society Continuing Education Program at the Colorado/Wyoming annual meeting. It introduced resource managers, landowners, and conservation groups to low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) approaches for streams and riparian areas. The course is relevant even for those with some LTPBR knowledge, as instructors shared lessons learned from dozens of projects in multiple states. Participants explored guiding principles, beaver ecology, and types of low-tech structures (BDAs, PALS), focusing on construction and treating impairments. Specific examples related to fish population responses were presented.

Resources & Course Materials

Because the course was online, it is helpful to review digital copies of the Design Manual and the Pocket Guide. Participants are encouraged to review Module 1 or Chapter 1 of the Design Manual before the workshop.

Beaver Restoration Guidebook

How to Sign Up

To sign up, please contact Dan Kowalski, Aquatic Resource Specialist:
📧 dan.kowalski@state.co.us
📞 (970) 252-6008

Instruction Team

  • Stephen N. Bennett
    Principal Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Anabranch Solutions
    Research Scientist, USU
    Stephen Bennett

  • Scott Shahverdian
    Geomorphologist & Designer, Anabranch Solutions
    Scott Shahverdian

  • Brian Murphy
    Water Resources Engineer, Anabranch Solutions
    Brian Murphy

Agenda

PDF of Agenda

1. Introductions & Agenda (8:00–8:15)

  • Introductions, goals, agenda, logistics
  • Who reviewed Module 1 or Chapter 1?
    Slides

2. Background and Principles

8:15–8:30

  • Scope of the problem
    • General degradation
    • Loss and importance of structure (beavers, wood)
  • Questions/discussion
    Slides

8:30–9:00

3. Assessment, Approaches, and Implementation

9:00–9:45

  • Connecting observations with goals and objectives
  • Adaptive management, uncertainty
  • Reading riverscapes
  • Questions/discussion
    Slides

9:45–10:00

  • Low-tech toolbox
  • Discussion
    Slides

10:00–10:15 — Break

4. Science and Policy

10:15–11:00

  • Supporting science
    Slides
  • Where LTPBR does and doesn’t work
    Slides

11:00–11:15

  • CO/WY permitting & engineering
    Slides

5. Discussion and Questions (11:15–12:00)

  • Participant discussion, live Q&A
  • Pre-submitted questions
  • Open discussion

PDF: Literature Cited

Videos

Building BDAs in E. Foster Creek, WA

Building BDAs in Pataha Creek, WA

Building PALS in Pataha Creek, WA

Building PALS in Asotin, WA

Building PALS in Charley Creek, WA

Building mid-channel PALS in Asotin, WA