Regional preferences and accepted practices in urban stream restoration: An overview of case studies

摘要

The modernization of society and the growth of urban areas have led to a subsequent decline in the quality of urban watersheds and riverine ecosystems. However, over the last two decades, there have been significant efforts to "restore" these systems to a more natural state, reversing or mitigating the effects of development. Examples of typical urban stream restoration projects include bank stabilization, de-channelization of artificially straightened and hardened reaches, channel daylighting of closed conduit streams, dam and culvert removal, creation of stream access points, and habitat improvement. The planning and design of these projects have largely been regional in nature with local and regional authorities, public interest groups, and engineering companies involved. As such, the potential for regional preferences and accepted practices exists. This paper will investigate regional differences as well as similarities in urban stream restoration projects by examining case studies throughout the United States. This effort seeks to define the "State of Practice" for urban stream restoration across the United States and provide a platform for discussion on regional preferences. It is envisioned that much can be gained from sharing information between regions, however, the social, economic, political, physical, and climatic differences must be considered in the planning and design of urban stream restoration projects.