Case Studies of Low-Tech PBR
Case Studies are critical for grounding the concepts in this design manual. As the list of case-studies is always growing, we do not summarize them in a static chapter, but instead refer the reader below to an annotated bibliography of case studies maintained on this web site. Note most PDFs are available for download from ResearchGate for free if you create an account.
If you were part of or have completed a LTPBR project, please report the project in the LTPBR Explorer!
The two case studies that gave LTPBR its intial crediblity were:
- Bridge Creek IMW, Oregon for BDAs
- Asotin Creek IMW, Washington for PALS
These case studies are covered in Module 2
If you have a report on the planning, design, or evaluation of your own low-tech process based restoration case study, and would like it added to the list below, submit your own here:
From Authors
We add our reports, presentations and publications to our Research Gate Project on Low-Tech Process Based Restoration regularly.
Examples of Resource Inventories & Prioritization Plans
Below are examples of reports that show how planning, resource inventories and prioritization (i.e. Chapter 3 of Design Manual) were done on real projects at both project scales and network scales:
| Report Citation | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hill, A., Bennett, S.N., Bouwes, B., Shahverdian, S., Wheaton Joseph, M. and Bouwes, N., 2019. Panther Creek Riverscapes Assessment, Eco Logical Research, Inc., Watershed Solutions, and Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.22898.56006. | A comprehensive riverscapes assessment to inform restoration prioritization | Panther Creek Watershed, Idaho (Network-Scale) |
| Hill, A., Bennett, S.N., Bouwes, B. and Shahverdian, S., 2019. Panther Creek Riverscapes Conceptual Restoration Plan: Process-Based Restoration to Improve Chinook, Steelhead, and Bull Trout Habitat, Eco Logical Research, Inc., Watershed Solutions, and Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. | A Conceptual Restoration Plan based on Hill et al. (2019) assessment | Panther Creek Watershed, Idaho (Network-Scale) |
| Shahverdian, S.M., Bennett, S. and Wheaton, J., 2018. Baugh Creek Post-Fire Emergency Restoration – Prioritizing and Planning Post-Fire Restoration in the Baugh Creek Watershed. Prepared for Rebecca Patton by Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.17537.71528. | A rapid assessment of current conditions and recovery potential following the 65,000 acre Sharp’s fire to plan for emergency low-tech post-fire restoration. | Baugh Creek, Idaho (Project-Scale) |
| Bennett, S.N., Camp Reid, J., Hill, A., Wheaton Joseph, M., Bouwes, N., O’Brien, G., Floyd, B. and Drury, T., 2018. Asotin County Washington, Conceptual Restoration Plan: 2018, Prepared by: Eco Logical Research, Inc.; Utah State University Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab; Anabranch Solutions, LLC; and Anchor QEA, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12422.42568. | This conceptual plan was the output of a facilitated prioritization process that used the Bennett et al. (2018) Watershed Assessment and stakeholder input to develop restoration priorities. | Asotin County, Washington (Network-Scale) |
| Bennett, S.N., Camp Reid, J., Wheaton Joseph, M., Bouwes, N., O’Brien, G., Hill, A., Floyd, B. and Drury, T., 2018. Asotin County Watershed Assessment: Technical Document and Appendices, Prepared by: Eco Logical Research, Inc.; Utah State University Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab; Anabranch Solutions, LLC; and Anchor QEA, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31506.50880/1. | This watershed assessment was used to inform a network scale restoration prioritization and used River Styles and many of the Riverscapes Consortium network tools (e.g. BRAT, RCAT, and GNAT) | Asotin Creek Watershed, Washington (Network-Scale) |
| Shahverdian, S., Portugal, E., Camp Reid, J., Macfalrane, W.W., Sorenson, K. and Wheaton, J.M., 2017. Grouse Creek Watershed Restoration Plan: Using Beaver Dam Analogues to Initiate Process-Based Stream Recovery. Prepared for Utah Division of Wildlife Resources by Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab, Utah State University, Logan, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29281.76641. | The watershed scoping and planning associated with a low-tech PBR demonstration project with Utah Watershed Restoration Initaitive and Utah Division of Wildlife | Grouse Creek, Utah (Network-Scale) |
| Portugal E, Wheaton JM and Bouwes N. 2015.Technical Report: Pine Creek Watershed Scoping Plan for Restoration: Using Beaver Dam Analogs and High-Density LWD to Initiate Process-Based Stream Recovery. Prepared for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. Logan UT, 52 pp. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1607.9527 | An example of a Watershed Scoping plan to look at feasibility of using BDAs in a small watershed. | Pine Creek, Oregon (Network-Scale) |
| O’Brien G and Wheaton JM. 2015. River Styles Report for the Middle Fork John Day Watershed, Oregon. Ecogeomorphology and Topographic Analysis Lab, Utah State University, Prepared for Eco Logical Research and the Bonneville Power Administration, Logan, UT, 207 pp. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3251.2329 | An example of a complete geomorphic assessment using the River Styles framework to inform restoration prioritization (see also Journal of Maps article) | Middle Fork John Day Watershed, Oregon (Network-Scale) |
| Wheaton JM, Bennett S, Bouwes N, and Camp R. 2012. Asotin Creek Intensively Monitored Watershed: Restoration Plan for North Fork Asotin, South Fork Asotin and Charlie Creeks, Eco Logical Research, Inc., Prepared for Snake River Salmon Recovery Board. Logan, UT, 125 pp. | The original HDLWD and PALS report for the Asotin Intensively Monitored Watershed | Asotin Creek Watershed, Washington (Project-Scale) |
Examples of Design & Implementation Reports
Below are examples of reports that are examples of design and implementation for low-tech PBR projects (i.e. Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of design manual):
| Report Citation | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Weber N, Wheaton JM. and Allen K. 2020. Willow Springs Restoration Design: Process-Based Riverscape Restoration in Whychus Creek, Oregon, Prepared by: Anabranch Solutions and Aequinox. Prepared for: Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. Bend, Oregon; by Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31921.20323. | This project is a low-tech process-based (LTPBR) restoration design for a 0.7 - mile section of Whychus Creek, a tributary to the upper Deschutes river in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties. (See Anabranch Solutions Project Page ). | Wychus Creek, Oregon |
| Shahverdian, S.M. 2020. LOWER BAUGH CREEK WATERSHED:PHASE II RESTORATION, Prepared for Al Eiden of Phesants Forever by Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15574.32324. | A second phase of restoration and mainteance, following the intial post-fire emergency treatment (See Anabranch Solutions Project Page ). | Baugh Creek, Idaho |
| Shahverdian, S.M., Bennett, S. and Wheaton, J., 2018. Baugh Creek Post-Fire Emergency Restoration – Design & Implementation, Prepared for Rebecca Patton by Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Newton, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14182.27209. | A post-fire emergency low-tech restoration where 150 structures were installed over 5 miles of burn stream, in a week following the 65,000 acre Sharp’s fire.(See Anabranch Solutions Project Page ) | Baugh Creek, Idaho |
| Shahverdian, S. and Wheaton, J.M., 2017. Grouse Creek Watershed Restoration Design Report, Prepared for Utah Division of Wildlife Resources by Anabranch Solutions, LLC, Logan, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18376.57603. | A demonstration project with the with Utah Watershed Restoration Initaitive and Utah Division of Wildlife and built 114 low-tech structures over 5.5 miles of stream | Grouse Creek Watershed, Utah |
| Shahverdian, SM. and Wheaton, JM. 2017. Birch Creek Restoration Design Report. Prepared for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources by Anabranch Solutions, LLC. Newton, UT. 26 Pages. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11439.84646 | A small demonstration project in a Southern Utah stream to show off different low-tech treatments (60 structures, 12 complexes, 1 mile) | Birch Creek, Utah |
| Portugal, E., Wheaton, J. and Bouwes, N., 2015. Pine Creek Watershed Design Report for Pilot Restoration: Using Beaver Dam Analogues and High-Density Large Woody Debris to Initiate Process-Based Stream Recovery. Prepared for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs by Eco Logical Research, Inc., Logan, UT. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.1209.9367. | We installed a small trial project (15 structures) to look at whether or not BDAs in a system with a weak flow regime might work (or more to the point, how long you might have to wait). | Pine Creek Watershed, Oregon |
| Pollock M, Wheaton JM, Bouwes N and Jordan CE. 2011. Working with Beaver to Restore Salmon Habitat in the Bridge Creek Intensively Monitored Watershed: Design Rationale and Hypotheses, Interim Report, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA, 63 pp. | One of our first low-tech reports from the project that started it all with BDAs! We published this as a NOAA tech memo. | Bridge Creek, Oregon |
For examples of adaptive management plans see here.
Examples of Evaluation Reports
| Report Citation | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Shahverdian, S., Macfarlane, W.A., Stevens, G.C., Meier, M. and Wheaton, J.M., 2017. Geomorphic Response to Pilot River Restoration on the San Rafael River, Utah: A Pilot Installation of Beaver Dam Analogues, Utah State University Ecogeomorphology and Topographic Analysis Lab for Bureau of Land Management, Logan, UT. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18963.37928. | San Rafael River, Utah |
From Others
This is based on other low-tech examples we are aware of, and those submitted by you:
| Report Citation | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Three Mile Creek - WATS 5350 Capstone Class - 2018 | This project was designed and built by Utah State University students of the Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone Class. | Three Mile Creek, Utah |
| Gregory Lewallen, Heidi Perryman, Carol Murdock, Mark Beardsley, Daniel Armichardy, Scott Jay Bailey, Bob Hassmiller, Sean Bistoff, David Helzer, Kendra Smith, Susan Firor, Janet Hohle, Scott Reid, Jessica Doran, Brad Johnson, Mike Claffey, Matt Weaver, David Kliegman, Julie Ashmore, Lauren Rich and Cathryn Wild (2017) Chapter 11—Beaver Restoration Case Studies in Pollock, M.M., G.M. Lewallen, K. Woodruff, C.E. Jordan and J.M. Castro (Editors) 2017. The Beaver Restoration Guidebook: Working with Beaver to Restore Streams, Wetlands, and Floodplains. Version 2.0. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. pp 132-187. | A chapter from the Beaver Restoration Guidebook of beaver-based restoration examples. | Throughout Western US |