North Vancouver District hosts “Workshop on Stream Restoration Techniques to Improve Aquatic Habitat” (June 3 & 4, 2015)
Note to Reader:
The District of North Vancouver is the host, and the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia (PWSBC) is the organizer, for a 2-day workshop on Stream Restoration techniques suitable for the urban environment.
This once-in-a-lifetime workshop opportunity for British Columbians will be taught by Dave Derrick, a leading Fluvial Geomorphologist in the United States. His knowledge and practical experience includes project design and construction on sites ranging from the Mississippi River to small streams. The 2-day workshop will be held on June 3-4, 2015. Day #1 will be inside and Day #2 will be in the field.
To download a copy of the detailed program for the 2-day workshop, click on North Vancouver Stream Restoration Workshop – Brochure.
Dave Derrick in action and teaching stream restoration.
Workshop is An Opportunity to Learn from One of the Best
“We are indeed fortunate that Dave Derrick will pass on his knowledge and wisdom to a BC audience on June 3-4. A true innovator in Potomology (the study of the behaviour of rivers),his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers spanned 35 years at the Engineering Research and Development Center,” states Richard Boase, Environmental 
Protection Officer with the District of North Vancouver. He is also Vice-President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC.
“Dave Derrick specializes in environmentally compatible, cost-effective approaches and methodologies for design of river training structures, innovative construction methodologies for stream stabilization works, river and stream training structure inspection, monitoring, and performance analysis and physical movable-bed modeling.”
“Dave Derrick is a co-developer and co-instructor in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) course An Introduction to Stream Investigation, Stabilization, and Restoration. In 2006, he started teaching hands-on workshops where a stream is completely constructed during class and participants take part in planting and other construction activities.”
What We Can Do to Improve Stream Function in British Columbia
“For the past 36 years, I have been involved in all aspects of large river to small stream stabilization and rehabilitation / restoration in every state but two,” continues Dave Derrick. “Through 150-plus workshops in the last 8 years I have taught over 8,000 individuals the philosophy, methods, and concepts of river design and fluvial geomorphology.”
“Over the course of my career as a research hydraulic engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers, I have been an educator, facilitator, designer, reviewer, and constructor of almost every type of river and stream stabilization / restoration project imaginable.”
“After reviewing Metro Vancouver Stormwater Management Plans, I am excited to travel from Bovina, Mississippi to walk some of y’all’s restoration projects to study proposed project ideas and possibly apply some of the techniques I have championed over the last 35 yrs. We will be using the principles of Potomology (no we are not studying that!!) to improve stream function in the British Columbia area.”
Examples of Stream Stabilization Innovation
“Dave Derrick is the inventor and developer of many stream stabilization methods – for example Wrong Way Boil-Up Pools, Half Drowned Bushes, Grand Slams, Slit Trench Pole Planting and Hydraulic Cover Stones. Dave is now a potomologist stream and river flow guy, specializing in the use of bioengineering and energy management methods (river training structures, Bendway Weirs, Rock Vanes, etc.) to stabilize streams. June 3 and 4 is indeed an incredible opportunity for BC practitioners to learn from one of the best,” concludes Richard Boase.
To Learn More:
Lectures by Dave Derrick are posted on the US Army Corps of Engineers website for the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. To access lectures that Dave Derrick uses when he teaches workshops, visit http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/derrick-lectures
Dave Derrick explains stream restoration techniques on-site