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“If the community comprehends the issues at hand, and the solutions that are needed, then leaders may be able to establish a support base that can help move watershed sustainability in the right direction within the community,” observes David Mackenzie. “Visual media forms, such as photography and videography, are well suited as environmental evidence for what is going wrong in watersheds. But also, can show what success can look like when restoration is achieved. One cannot attract supporters through just words and bullets on PowerPoint slides. Visual media is the way to do this today.”

Dave Derrick was a co-developer and co-instructor in the first American Society of Civil Engineers stream class, titled “An Introduction to Stream Investigation, Stabilization, and Restoration”. The morning lecture is a streamlined version of this course. Dave Derrick will cover the philosophy of restoration, channel dynamics and evolution, and bioengineering methods. Shelly Creek is the case study for improving in-stream hydraulic and environmental functions in fish-bearing streams along the east coast of Vancouver Island.

“Stream gauging can be incredibly complicated, but there are some basic skills that are the foundation of flow measurements which are relatively easy to learn. Modern equipment also takes a lot of the confusing details out of the process, leaving the operator with a much more pleasant experience. A demonstration on the mid-section measurement technique will be presented along with some discussion on the myriad of factors requiring consideration when stepping into a stream with the purpose of measuring flow,” states Neil Goeller.

At Shelly Creek Park, a team of three instructors will demonstrate and provide hands-on training for stream investigation, flow measurement and water quality sampling. Workshop participants will be divided into three groups and rotate through a “walkabout with Dave” and demos at two streamside training stations. “We will have our YSI EXO multi probe on hand to demonstrate how to collect water quality data. We would then let attendees try the equipment while we talk about how we train streamkeeper volunteers to monitor water quality in streams close to their homes,” states Richard Boase.

“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,” stated Dave Derrick.