Stream restoration designed specifically to enhance hyporheic processes has seldom been contemplated. To gain experience with hyporheic restoration, an engineered streambed was built using a gravel mixture formulated to mimic natural streambed composition, filling an over-excavated channel to a minimum depth of 90 cm. Specially designed plunge-pool structures, built with subsurface gravel extending down to […]

Large wood (LW) jams are key riverine habitat features that affect hydraulic processes and aquatic habitat. The hydraulic influence of LW jams is poorly understood due to the complexity of fluid dynamics around irregular, porous structures. Here we validated a method for two-dimensional hydraulic modeling of porous LW jams using the open-source modeling software Delft3D-FLOW. […]

This report summarizes the results of monitoring efforts on Elwha River Engineered Logjams (ELJs) for the period from 1999-2006. During this period, a total of 21 ELJs have been constructed in the Elwha River by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Since constructed (2000-2004), ELJs have proved to be stable with little significant change in position […]

In forested channel networks wood can be the dominant control on grade and shear stress partitioning. In these systems a loss of wood triggers channel incision that results in a lowering of alluvial groundwater tables and loss of water storage within a watershed. It also speeds up the routing of water out of channel network. […]

Wood has been well-established as a material constituent of fluvial systems capable of altering channel morphology and fluvial processes. The published literature partially reflects humanity’s relationship with wood. It was widely acknowledged that in-stream wood, even in large rivers, was a serious threat to navigation and capable of influencing fluvial systems. In his treatise on […]

The purpose of this assessment is to develop a plan that identifies protection and restoration strategies that prioritize specific actions to maintain and/or improve salmonid habitat conditions and ecological resilience in the Chico Creek watershed. For more information contact: Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: (206) 834-8697

This report describes the current erosion and flood hazards, the factors influencing these hazards, and a restorative flood and erosion protection strategy for the Upper Sandy River valley. For more information contact: Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: (206) 834-8697

This publication focuses on the reality that rivers move. It illustrates how climate change disrupts the rivers balance by violently accelerating changes in river architecture. For more information contact: Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: (206) 834-8697

This case study from Woodward Creek, WA, provides insight into self mitigation protection for pipeline crossings in degraded streams. It outlines a unique approach which recognizes the processes threatening infrastructure and emulates natural structures to provide the necessary protection. For more information contact: Dr. Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: […]

This publication offers a thorough and systematic procedure for identifying and delineating Channel Migration Zones (CMZ). For more information contact: Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: (206) 834-8697

This chapter, part of the publication “Stream Restoration in Dynamic Fluvial Systems”, provides an overview of wood in rivers, focusing on wood stability in rivers and design considerations for the reintroduction of wood to larger alluvial channels. For more information contact: Tim Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG at Natural Systems Design — Email: Tim@naturaldes.com | Phone: […]

Created by Daniel Coe of  the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Earth Resources (www.dnr.wa.gov/geology), these maps provide a 3-D view of river processes in their geological setting. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/geology/publications-and-data/presentation-archive  

As part of a larger flood hazard mitigation study for Clackamas County Emergency Management Department and the Sandy River Basin Council (SRBWC), Natural Systems Design was hired to develop a pilot floodplain restoration project in the Upper Sandy River watershed. A component of this project produced this handbook to educate the community about risks associated […]

Design of engineered logjams (ELJs) and placement of large wood (LW) have become key to river restoration strategies nationwide. NSD team members, Leif Embertson, Mike Hrachovec and Tim Abbe were primary authors of this manual to train and educate restoration practitioners on the planning, design, placement and maintenance of large wood with an emphasis of […]

The Washington Department of Ecology developed a planning-level CMZ delineation (pCMZ) method to support local communities’ updates and implementation of the SMA requirements. This document describes the pCMZ approach in context of Washington State regulations.