West Virginia University Natural Stream Restoration Program

1
West Virginia University Natural Stream
Restoration Program

• Course IV Introduction to Natural Stream
  Channel Design
• This final course covers advanced topics in
  natural stream channel design, including
• Sediment transport analysis
• Design layout
• In-stream structures
• Techniques for bioengineering and bank
  stabilization
• Information is provided on contractor selection,
  construction oversight, and post-construction
  monitoring. Students work in teams to complete
  two hands-on design projects that integrate
  topics covered in the four courses. Course IV
  will be co-taught by WVU and other professionals.
• Prerequisite Course III

Course Schedule Course I Introduction to Stream
Functions and Processes Morgantown, WV (40
Students) May 17 20 Course II Methods for
Stream Channel Assessment and Analysis Blackwater
State Park Davis, WV (40 Students) June 21
25 Course III Introduction to Natural Stream
Channel Design Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, WV (40 Students) July 12 16 Course
IV Advanced Natural Stream Channel
Design Pipestem State Park Pipestem, WV (40
Students) August 9 13 Course V Stream
Ecosystem Assessment Camp Caesar Cowen, WV (25
Students) August 1 6 Course VI Taxonomy and
Ecology of Riparian Wetland Plants Camp
Mohonagon, Upshur County, WV June 27 July 2
An Interdisciplinary Program Focusing on
Research, Education, and Professional Services in
Natural Stream Assessment and Design
West Virginia University Center for
Environmental Research

• Course V Stream Ecosystem Assessment
• Stream ecology and sampling and analysis
  techniques used to conduct stream ecological
  assessments. Key topics include
• Characteristics of natural stream ecosystems
• Water quality sampling
• Quantifying in-stream habitat and riparian
  condition
• Quantifying fish habitat quality
• Sampling benthic invertebrate and fish
  communities
• Statistical analyses
• Computation of habitat suitability and
  ecological condition
• USEPA Rapid BioAssessment Protocols
• Prerequisite a degree or senior in a field of
  natural science

West Virginia University Units College of
Engineering and Mineral Resources Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering Eberly
College of Arts and Sciences Department of
Geology and Geography Davis College of
Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer
Sciences Division of Forestry Division of Plant
and Soils Sciences Division of Resource
Management Partners West Virginia Division of
Highways American Council of Engineering
Companies of WV Buck Engineering For more
information, please contact us at
streams_at_mail.wvuedu Or visit our website at
http//www.forestry.caf.wvu.edu/Programs/Wildlife
Fisheries/drjanderson/natstreams/Webindex.HTML
For Information Email Us at streams_at_mail.wvu.edu
Or Find Us Online at www.forestry.caf.wvu.edu/Pr
ograms/WildlifeFisheries/drjanderson/natstreams/W
ebindex.HTML
Course VI Taxonomy and Ecology of Riparian
Wetland Plants This course is intended for
working environmental professionals and senior
and graduate students who are interested in or
are required to know how to technically identify
riparian and wetland plant species and to
understand their habitats. The course emphasizes
hands-on practice using technical keys to out
sedges, grasses, rushes, and other riparian and
wetland species. Students will also learn basic
methods for sampling and describing plant
communities. Prerequisites a degree or a senior
in a field of natural science
2

• Courses Offered through the WVU-CER
• Course I Introduction to Stream Functions and
  Processes
• This introductory course is designed to provide
  students with a background in natural stream
  functions. Topics covered include
• Stream ecology
• Fluvial geomorphology
• River hydraulics
• Hydrology
• Sediment transport
• Stream classification
• Stream restoration goals.
• Prerequisites None
• Course II Methods for Stream Channel Assessment
  and Analysis
• This course focuses on stream channel assessment,
  with an emphasis on fluvial geomorphology and
  ecology. Students participate in classroom and
  field exercises to learn the following
• Methods and purposes for evaluating stream
  dimension, pattern, profile, and channel
  materials
• Assessment of habitat conditions and ecological
  function
• Prerequisite Course I

Why is natural stream design important? There is
currently a tremendous need for stream
restoration services throughout the Mid-Atlantic
region and the United States. Impacts from
human-related activities have severely degraded
many of our streams and rivers, causing problems
that include instability, sedimentation, loss of
ecological function, and decreased aesthetic and
recreational value. Consequently, regulatory
agencies commonly require stream restoration as
compensatory mitigation for unavoidable stream
impacts. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act, in order to receive permits for construction
projects where streams are affected, regulatory
agencies now require stream mitigation. Projects
such as land development, highway construction,
urban storm water control, and channelization
often require this type of mitigation.
What is our program? The WVU stream program
features an applied research program in stream
function, processes, and design. The research
component is supported by diversity of on- and
off-campus stream or stream-related courses.
Off-campus instructional components include a
six-course series on stream assessment, design,
ecological sampling, and vegetation studies.
Each course is 4-7 days and includes classroom
and field instruction. Courses are appropriate
for all professionals working with water
resources issues related to streams and
degree-seeking students. Areas of stream
research include stream assessment, natural
stream design on mined lands, and riparian
vegetation.
Who are we? We are part of a campus-wide
Environmental Center program. Our program was
developed by faculty and staff involved in
teaching and research related to stream
functions, processes, and design. The WVU stream
program is an interdisciplinary approach to
instruction and research that is guided by both
broad-based and focused disciplines that include
engineering, geology, ecology, soils, and
resource management.

• Who needs natural stream training?
• There is currently a critical need for
  professionals in fields of engineering, geology,
  wildlife and fisheries management, environmental
  sciences, and others. Often these professionals
  are associated with
• State DOTs
• Utilities
• Developers
• Consulting firms
• Conservation organization

• What is Natural Stream Design?
• Natural stream design is the practice of
  designing streams so that they
• Function naturally
• Provide suitable habitat
• Maintain stability over time
• Projects are often extremely challenging and
  require specific expertise in the following
  areas
• Hydraulic engineering
• Aquatic ecology
• Fluvial geomorphology