GEOMORPHIC & ECOLOGICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF RIVER & STREAM RESTORATION COURSE |

Cancellation of Geomorphic and Ecological Fundamentals for River and Stream Restoration for 2020 due to COVID-19 considerations

With great regret, we cancel the 2020 shortcourse at Sagehen Creek Field Station, due to the many complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges in avoiding problems in holding the shortcourse at the station. Those already registered are entitled to a full refund or may defer their participation to next year’s course offering, 16-20 August 2021. We apologize for this very disappointing news, but look forward to better conditions under which we can once again hold the course next year. We thank you for your understanding.

– Matt Kondolf and the Sagehen Teaching Team

Instructors | Registration, fees, travel | Text & Materials | Agenda

Our five-day introductory course emphasizes understanding geomorphic and ecological process as a sound basis for planning and designing river restoration. It covers general principles and case studies from a wide range of environments. Incorporating insights from recent research in fluvial geomorphology and ecology, the course emphasizes developing predictive connections between objectives and actions, learning from built restoration projects, and developing restoration strategies and innovative management approaches to address underlying causes of channel or ecosystem change, rather than prescriptive approaches.

Read about the Sagehen Field Station near Lake Tahoe, CA

QUESTIONS? Contact Tyler Nodine at river.restoration.sagehen@gmail.com.

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Watch the following 1-minute video to get a flavor for the course.

The course integrates perspectives from leading academic researchers and consulting practitioners in river restoration. Lectures, exercises, field trips and case studies cover a range of restoration approaches from state-of-the-art hydraulics and sediment transport, to historical analysis and context-specific considerations ranging from urban infrastructure to natural resources. In addition to field data collection techniques, the course uses spreadsheet models to calculate sediment transport and channel design, map and aerial photo analysis, and sequential problem solving in approaching restoration of fluvial processes. The course includes field trips to the Truckee River and streams in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and workshops on restoration problems faced by participants for discussion where we develop ideas on analytical approaches and recommend resources.

This course emphasizes integration of hydrology, hydraulics, sediment transport, geomorphology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, and riparian ecology, and includes field measurements, mapping, and interpretation.

This course is brought to you by RiverLab at the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

A related course, Sediment Transport in Stream Assessment and Design, builds upon principles and techniques covered in the Sagehen course, but is focused on sediment transport in channel design. The course is offered annually by Peter Wilcock, co-instructor of the Sagehen course over the past 15 years. This course is also cancelled for 2020, but check back for 2021 course dates.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Sagehen River Restoration Shortcourse and the College of Environmental Design of UC Berkeley more broadly are committed to attracting talented students with diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment for our faculty and students that respect and reflect the diverse communities in which we live and work.
The intellectual exchange of ideas, learning to interact effectively with each other, and developing attitudes of responsibility for leadership in society and decision-making, are enhanced through a student community that respects and values the insights gained from various points of view. We welcome all participants to the Sagehen River Restoration Shortcourse and welcome you to join our community!