Course Description
River hydraulics, sediment transport, fluvial geomorphology, and river response to human influences, with emphasis on restoration design and environmental aspects.
Athena Title
Environmental River Mechanics
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to: 1.Describe stream and river behavior and response to alterations across different spatial and temporal scales using a variety of quantitative and qualitative models 2. Apply standard mathematical and computational models of fluvial processes, including HEC-RAS and standard sediment transport relationships 3.Design dynamically stable alluvial channels with varying capacities to transport sand and gravel/cobble materials (longitudinal profile, planform, and cross-section) 4. Understand and be conversant in describing interactions between physical and ecological processes in streams and rivers 5. Conduct field monitoring associated with stream and river assessment campaigns 6. Articulate an understanding of the complexities associated with balancing consumptive demands and stewardship of rivers in an atmosphere of scientific uncertainty
Topical Outline
1. River Hydrology and Hydraulics a. Types of flow b. Velocity profiles c. Roughness/bedforms d. Drainage networks e. Hydrographs f. Frequency analysis 2. Erosion and Sedimentation a. Incipient motion b. Modes of sediment transport c. Supply vs. capacity d. Sediment transport relationships e. Sediment rating curves 3. Applied Fluvial Geomorphology a. Fluvial system b. Planform relationships c. Bankfull and effective discharges d. Hydraulic geometry e. Stream classification f. Stream and river response 4. River Mechanics and Stable Channel Design a. Regime relationships b. Analytical channel design c. Geotechnical considerations d. Bank stabilization techniques e. HEC-RAS – Copeland’s stable channel design method 5. Applied Aquatic Ecology/Water Quality a. River continuum/discontinuum/mosaic concepts b. Natural flow regime/environmental flows c. Physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water quality d. Physical habitat e. Sediment impacts on biota f. Biomonitoring/indicators of ecosystem integrity 6. Management and Restoration of Streams and Watersheds a. Water policy b. Riparian areas, wetlands, and floodplains c. Basic concepts and tools d. Strategic vs. tactical restoration e. Watershed analysis 7. Case Studies
Syllabus
Public CV