WATS/CEWA 5623 - Course Syllabus
Catalog Description
This course provides an introduction to designing Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes. Students will design their own LTPBR restoration projects 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 2025 LTPBR Courses for Credit or CEU
Schedule
Spring 2025 - Design LTPBR
- Matriculated USU Students: WATS 5623
- Non-USU / Professional Students: CEWA 5623 Registration
(Registration opens November 6, 2024)
| Class | Time | Days | Dates | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designing LTPBR | 1:30–4:15 pm | Tuesdays | Mar 18, 25 & Apr 1, 2025 | Joe Wheaton |
Course materials and assignments will be available on Canvas two weeks before the course starts.
Students are expected to watch pre-recorded lectures and complete readings before discussion sessions.
Discussion Session Schedule:
| Meeting Date | Modules | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 3/18/2025 | 4.1 | Intro to Design Process; Leading Design with Recovery Potential |
| 3/25/2025 | 4.2 | Design Standards of Practice @ Complex-Scale; Learning to Design @ Structure-Scale |
| 4/1/2025 | 4.3 | Field Design Documentation; Designing at Your Own Riverscape |
Students will also be expected to complete a field trip and a design assignment on a real riverscape.
This course is based on Module 4 of the self-paced materials.
Access Module 4 Materials (slides, videos, exercises)
Fees
-
Matriculated Students: current USU tuition rates for 1 credit (no additional course fee)
Register on Banner -
Continuing Education Students: $315 (1.5 CEUs: $270 course fee + $45 CEU processing fee)
(registration opens November 6)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
- Develop familiarity with the core components of the LTPBR design process.
- Understand the difference between engineering-based and LTPBR design processes.
- Create a complete low-tech PBR field design for a first phase of restoration in an impaired riverscape.
- Learn how to use a zone of influence to convey hypotheses associated with structural forcing.
- Assess the degree of uplift for a design phase and estimate the timeline to achieve full recovery potential.
Instructors
Lead Instructor: Joe Wheaton
- Joe Wheaton
Professor of Riverscapes, USU
Principal at Anabranch Solutions
Office hours: Tuesdays 11:00–12:00 MT (in person NR360 or Zoom)
To contact your instructor, please use Canvas discussion boards or direct messaging.
Instructor Affiliations
Course Resources
All course resources will be posted in Canvas, including:
- PDF slides
- video recordings
- readings (from the manual or PDFs)
- formative and graded assignments with rubrics
Course Textbooks
Required Texts:
-
Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes: Design Manual
Free PDF or buy on Amazon or BookBaby -
Pocket Field Guide
Free PDF or purchase waterproof copy
Key Focus 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% |
Points are awarded for quizzes and assessed assignments as posted on Canvas.
University Policies
This course follows all relevant Utah State University policies:
- Attendance & Excused Absences
- Library Services
- Classroom Civility
- Academic Freedom & Professional Responsibilities
- Academic Integrity
- Withdrawal & Incomplete Grade Policies
- Disability Resource Center
- Title IX & Office of Equity
- Mental Health Resources
- Student Code
- Emergency Procedures
Please review the complete USU Academic Policies and Procedures.