Title: Risk and Reward in Upper Midwest Stream Restoration
Date: February 12, 2008
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony Falls Laboratory Auditorium

Introductory Presenter: Marty Melchior, Inter-Fluve, Inc.

Description: The science of river restoration is relatively new and slowly changing. However, the practice of river restoration is growing at a steady pace. In order to build projects that meet both ecological and physical success criteria, designers must consider the risks associated with moving water. This presentation examines different design approaches and the potential pitfalls of each. Project failure will be discussed from both an engineering and ecological perspective. The effect of risk on the cost of stream restoration design and construction will be reviewed.

Presenter Bio: Marty Melchior is the Regional Director for Inter-Fluve, a nationally renowned river restoration design firm that has been doing stream and river assessment and restoration work for over 25 years. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Marty has designed and built stream restoration projects around the country. Marty enjoys camping, writing and playing hockey with his wife and son. Marty plays bass in a progressive rock trio, and also for the company band, the Inter-Fluve Groove.

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SUMMARY

The first gathering of the Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest (PRRSUM) was held on February 12, 2008, in the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. More than 30 people attended the 1.5 hr meeting.

The forum topic was Risk and Liability in River Restoration, with an introductory presentation by Marty Melchior of Inter-Fluve, Inc. The 30 minute talk was followed by questions on the talk and a discussion on the forum topic.

Summary of major ideas raised during the discussion:

• All projects should have defined “performance criteria” that are developed and agreed upon by the clients and designers. Performance criteria state expected targets for restoration and provide the capability of evaluating project success. Criteria provide guidance for post project monitoring as well.
• Despite the acknowledged need, many projects lack clear performance criteria for the restoration design. There is no way to know if design met projects goals since the goals were not listed in advance. Clients have no way of knowing whether design is successful.
• Current state-of-the-art science (design methods, modeling, basic understanding), rather than poor engineering, may be the source of project failure. Restoration practitioners need to recognize design limitations and communicate the risk to clients and other stakeholders.
• Landowners and clients need to be aware of the risk of failure in restoration and should evaluate experience during the selection/bid process.
• Evaluation of project success is often only possible after a major flow event has occurred in a system. In some cases this requires waiting multiple years.
• Many organizations are involved in a single restoration project (engineers, stakeholders, agencies). The process of defining project performance criteria, restoration design, construction, and monitoring is different for every project.
• The National Riverine Restoration Science Synthesis (NRRSS--http://nrrss.nbii.gov/) is about to publish regional reports that will provide insights into current restoration practices in the upper Midwest. This will help reveal current needs and future directions for improving project success in the upper Midwest.

Pop-ups and Announcements:

1. City of Dawson, MN has a dam removal coming up.  Design is being performed by MN DNR. Group is curious if we can find out more about how design is being done and details of project. American Rivers has nice web content on dam removal.

2. Bruce Wilson, UMN – A demonstration project in Austin, MN, focused on agricultural sediment sources via drain tiling is just getting started.  This project should provide good insights into the impact of tiling on hydrology and sediment sources.

3. The next PRRSUM meeting is March 11. The topic will be sediment sources in agricultural watersheds. An introductory presentation will be given by Carrie Jennings, Minnesota Geological Survey, and Patrick Belmont, UMN.

4. PRRSUM seeks ideas and speakers for future meetings.  Contact us with ideas.