WATS 5623 - Course Syllabus
Catalog Description
This course introduces the design process for Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes. Students will develop their own restoration project design at a site of their choosing.
| Title | Design of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes |
|---|---|
| Course Number | WATS 5623 |
| Semester Offered | Spring |
| Credits | 1.0 Credit (1.5 CEU) |
| Levels | Graduate / Undergraduate |
| Schedule | Hybrid Face-to-Face Lecture |
| Cross-listed | CEWA 5623 |
← Back to Spring 2023 LTPBR Courses
Schedule
Spring 2023 - Design LTPBR
| Class | Time | Days | Location | Dates | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designing LTPBR | 1:30–3:30 pm | Tuesdays | Zoom | Mar 21, 28 & Apr 4, 2023 | Stephen Nicholas Bennett |
This course is based on Module 4 of the self-paced materials.
Access Module 4 Slides, Videos, Exercises
Course Meetings
| Meeting Date | Module | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 3/21/2023 | 4.1 | Intro to Design Process, Leading Design with Recovery Potential |
| 3/28/2023 | 4.2 | Design Standards of Practice @ Complex-Scale, Learning to Design @ Structure-Scale |
| 4/4/2023 | 4.3 | Field Design Documentation, Designing at Your Own Riverscape |
Students will be expected to visit a real riverscape of their choosing and complete a design assignment.
Canvas access: Spring 2023 Canvas
Fees
-
Matriculated Students: Current USU tuition rates for 1 credit
(tuition varies $712–$2716 per credit depending on residency/level)
Register via Banner -
Continuing Education Students: $315 (1.5 CEUs, includes $45 processing fee)
Registration for Spring 2023 is closed.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
- Develop familiarity with the LTPBR design process.
- Understand differences between engineering-based vs. LTPBR design processes.
- Create a complete low-tech PBR field design for a first-phase riverscape restoration.
- Learn how to use zones of influence to express design hypotheses associated with structural forcing.
- Assess the degree of uplift and estimate timeframes for achieving recovery potential.
Instructors
Stephen N. Bennett
- ResearchGate
- Ecologist, Adjunct Professor at USU
- Principal at Anabranch Solutions
- Office Hours: By Appointment
Instructor Affiliations
Course Resources
Materials are organized by modules with:
- slides (PDFs)
- recordings (YouTube)
- readings (Design Manual and Pocket Guide)
Assignments and grades are managed on Canvas: Spring 2023 Canvas
Course Textbooks
Required:
-
Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes: Design Manual
Free PDF or purchase on Amazon / BookBaby -
Pocket Field Guide
Free PDF or purchase waterproof version
Key chapters: 4 and 5
Grading
| Grade | Range |
|---|---|
| A | 93–100% |
| A- | 90–92.9% |
| B+ | 87–89.9% |
| B | 83–86.9% |
| B- | 80–82.9% |
| C+ | 77–79.9% |
| C | 73–76.9% |
| C- | 70–72.9% |
| D+ | 67–69.9% |
| D | 60–66.9% |
| F | below 60% |
Quizzes and assignments will be graded according to Canvas rubrics.
Student Support & University Policies
USU resources:
- Attendance & Excused Absence Policy
- Library Services
- Student Conduct & Integrity
- Disability Resource Center
- USU Diversity Resources
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
- SafeUT App
For details on Academic Freedom, COVID-19 protocols, Title IX, grievance processes, mental health resources, and emergency procedures, please see USU Academic Policies.