Introduction to Low-Tech PBR of Riverscapes

Introduction

We first introduced low-tech process-based restoration (PBR) by defining it and talking about:

• the primary impairment it addresses: structurally-starved riverscapes
• the primary processes promoted with low-tech PBR: wood accumulation and beaver dam activity
• the typically structures used to reverse structural starvation

Resources

2020 Content

In Fall, 2019 WATS 5340, we introduced the topic of low-tech PBR in the Principles topics. As such, we didn’t cover it again in the Spring (WATS 5350), but we draw your attention to it here. We did not give an introduction to the different types of low-tech treatments, and we provide that lecture here:

Low-Tech Structures

Having previously covered principles, we work through the diversity of low-tech approaches and structure types in this lecture so you have a handle on what you’re going to be using in your designs.

• Introduction to low-tech approaches - Slides

This talk is elaborated in Chapter 1 & Chapter 4 of design manual.

Recorded Lecture

2019 Content

This introduction corresponds to the first two chapters from the Low-Tech PBR Design Manual.

Principles

We then transitioned into the bigger background problem and scope, and the core principles of low-tech PBR:

More Resources

See also:

• LTPBR Intros from the Intro Workshop to LTPBR. Particularly, the lectures on:
  • Background
  • Intro to Low-Tech Approaches
  • Guiding Principles - Similar to the WATS 5340 the Principles Intro.

• Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of Wheaton J.M., Bennett S.N., Bouwes, N., Maestas J.D. and Shahverdian S.M. (Editors). 2019. Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes: Design Manual. Version 1.0. Utah State University Restoration Consortium. Logan, UT. 286 pp. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19590.63049/2.