Instructor:
Mark Tompkins

Seminar (CCN: 48614) W 6:00 – 9:30P 315A Wurster

Units: 3

Interest and public investment in restoration of rivers and streams are at an all time high. This course reviews the underlying goals and assumptions of restoration, considers the integration of science into restoration planning and design, reviews various restoration strategies and techniques, and evaluates some completed projects. We emphasize geomorphic and hydrologic analyses relevant to restoration of geomorphic and ecological processes that create and maintain aquatic and riparian habitats. We evaluate completed projects and newly proposed, innovative approaches. Familiarity with river channel processes through previous course work (e.g., LA 222, GEOL 117, or similar courses, LA 201 with instructor permission, or professional experience with instructor permission) required.

This course consists of lectures and discussions by the instructor, students, and an extraordinary set of guest lecturers drawn from the very active restoration community in California, elsewhere in the US, and abroad, representing a range of specializations and experience, including geomorphology, engineering, ecology, and landscape architecture. In addition, there are two field trips to visit restoration projects: a half-day Saturday trip to Wildcat Creek in Richmond, and a full-day trip to the Carmel River and Uvas Creek. The principal course requirement is a term project involving original research, a written report for the project (which is peer-reviewed, revised, and ultimately added to the permanent, web-searchable collection of the UC Water Resources Archives), and an oral presentation of the project to an all-day restoration symposium held on a Saturday in November. In addition, each student reviews the planning documents for a recently completed restoration project.