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An Introduction to Process-Based Stream Restoration in the Hawaiian Islands
Basic Principles of Form and Process, Project Context, Sustainable Design, and the Unique Circumstances of Hawaii Course ID: HYD-511
Hosted by Northwest Environmental Training Center

Streams and rivers have been profoundly impacted by development. Our water courses have been cleared, impounded, confined, or put in pipes. The watersheds draining to these streams have been deforested, tilled or paved over. Stream channels and flow regimes that adjusted over a millennia of natural disturbance were completely changed within a few years with little foresight to the many environmental and cultural impacts. By the end of the twentieth century, the degradation of our streams and rivers led to an upwelling of interest in restoring these important ecosystems.

Today, more than a billion dollars is spent annually on stream restoration within the United States. Despite the rapid growth in restoration, there remains a major disconnect between land development and stream management that continues to degrade stream systems. Both restoration and sustainable stream management depend on an adequate understanding of the natural processes controlling stream ecosystems and how human actions influence these processes over a range of spatial and temporal scales. This class provides a basic introduction to stream restoration and management, focusing on process geomorphology, defining goals, defining performance metrics, evaluating and managing risks, reviewing various approaches to restoration, and engineering solutions focused on emulating natural systems. While many of the topics addressed in the course will be transferable to any area, there will be a focus on the unique issues characteristic of Hawaiian streams. For general information contact Eldan Goldenberg by telephone at 206-762-1976 or via e-mail at egoldenberg@nwetc.org

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