Birch Creek - 2026 Implementation Day
The WATS/CEWA 5624 Spring 2026 class will focus on Birch Creek in Cache Valley, Idaho. The course will culminate in a field day on Saturday, April 18, 2026, where students and volunteers will implement the next phase of the Birch Creek LTPBR project. This field day will be an opportunity to apply the concepts learned throughout the course in a real-world setting, working alongside students from the 2026 Capstone Class who have completed the planning and design phases of the project.
Course Logistics
Participant Waiver Form
Complete before arriving Saturday!
Field Day: Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The 2026 Capstone Class (WATS 5350/6350) and the 2026 LTPBR Implementation Class (WATS 5624/CEWA 5624) courses will be building the next phase of Birch Creek LTPBR on Jay Wilde's Diamondback W Ranch! The 2026 Capstone students have completed and prepared a full planning assessment, design and permit application, and will be building as much of their design as is possible on Saturday.
Meet at 8:00 AM at Parking Lot at Birch Creek
Volunteers
Feel free to invite your family and friends! If you/they wish to join us for all or part of the day, please register here. We need to plan for how many people will come so we can provide enough PPE, equipment, and materials. See here for required volunteer safety briefing.
Register to Volunteer for LTPBR Construction
Register to volunteer for LTPBR construction on April 18, 2024 @ 8:00 AM at Birch Creek.
Getting There
IMPORTANT: Transportation will not be provided to Birch Creek. You are strongly encouraged to carpool with other students and/or volunteer participants up to Birch Creek. It is about an hour drive from Logan to the Field Site. There is ample parking on site. There is some cell reception.
We will meet at the Birch Creek Trailhead at 8 AM (about 1 hour drive from Logan @ 7767 East Birch Creek Road, Preston, ID 83263.
NOTE: For emergencies, Franklin County Medical Center in Preston is the closest hospital to this field site @ 20 minutes away.
What do I need to bring?
Field Gear
Your safety is our top priority, but you are the most important person in ensuring your safety and comfort. So bring common sense. This is Spring in the mountains. You should be prepared for anything from sunny skies and sunburn, to snow and hypothermia (yes we've already had our first snow-storms, and yes we will work in the snow). The current forecast is for rain. We will be hiking through and doing work in small, cold, wadeable streams.
- We strongly recommend a pair of chest waders and wading boots, to keep you warm and dry. If you cannot get a pair of waders, please email Zach Burgert and we will see what we can find.
- You also should bring whatever outdoor clothing and gear to keep yourself comfortable. Layers, coats, gloves, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes and footwear for afterwards are all a must. No open-toed shoes will be allowed.
- Wear work clothing suitable for a construction site.
We will provide you with basic personal protective equipment (PPEs like work gloves, eye protection, hard hats, ear protection). However, if you have any of your own personal PPE you are more comfortable in, please bring it.
If you have any allergies or medical conditions that we should be aware of, please notify us of those when filling out your volunteer form.
Lunch and Snacks
Please bring your own lunch and snacks to keep you going throughout the day. You will also want to bring plenty of water and a refillable water bottle (we will have some water jugs for refilling).
For more information on Birch Creek
LTPBR Birch Creek Information
Birch Creek, Idaho LTPBR Case Study Information.
QRiS - Birch Creek Project
The history of LTPBR in Birch Creek in a QRiS project.
Birch Creek PBR Explorer Projects
Projects for Birch Creek in PBR Explorer
2026 Capstone Photo Album
Shared Photo Ablum for 2026 Capstone
For more information or questions please contact Joe Wheaton via CANVAS.