Urban Riparian and Stream Restoration Trainings

Natural design works to maintain or restore the primary stream functions of water transport, sediment transport and wildlife habitat though the use of selected vegetation and engineered placement of existing riparian features such as rocks or fallen timber.

Fifteen 1-day urban riparian and stream restoration trainings will be conducted in and around large urban centers such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. A 3-day advanced urban riparian and stream restoration training will be held in Dallas.

Material delivered in the training will help attendees understand:

  • urban stream functions,
  • impacts of development on urban streams,
  • recognize healthy versus degraded stream systems,
  • assess and classify a stream using the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI), and
  • comprehend differences between natural and traditional restoration techniques.

Information including the hydrologic cycle, basics to stream morphology, stream classification, stream instability, stream restoration, stabilization structure, vegetation, and monitoring and evaluation will be explained through classroom-style teaching in the morning session and hands-on activities in the field at a nearby stream in the afternoon sessions. Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training.

Training Schedule Link

Course Outline

  1. Hydrologic cycle
  2. Introduction to stream morphology
    1. Bankfull discharge
    2. Stability
    3. Channel measurements
  3. Stream classification
  4. Stream instability
  5. Stream restoration
  6. Stabilization structures
  7. Vegetation
  8. Monitoring and evaluation

    Hydrologic Cycle

    Program Agenda