Riparian and Wetland Ecological Restoration

Services Offered:
Riparian & Wetland Ecological Assessments
Project Planning & Implementation
Native Plant Revegetation
Bank Stabilization and Erosion Control
Bioengineering
Project Maintenance
Project Monitoring

Here the crew puts the finishing touches on a bioengineered "brush bar". Brush bars are made with woody stems or branches and anchored to the gravel substrate. Willows are planted within the bar.

To restore or enhance riparian and wetland ecosystems, Watershed Consulting emphasizes the restoration of biophysical processes that promote natural riparian recovery, while simultaneously enhancing stream bank strength, stream channel integrity, water quality and aesthetics.

Our approach includes a comprehensive assessment that reveals the factors that limit plant establishment and growth; we combine this information with an understanding of the ecology and physiology of specific plant species. Restoration plans also consider appropriate plant community development in light of landform, expected flood dynamics and land management objectives.

We employ a variety of on-the-ground restoration and bioengineering techniques to meet planned objectives. We use native plant materials on all projects, and emphasize putting the right plant in the right place. We also use on-site plant materials whenever possible; for example, soils with dormant seeds, shrub transplants, willow cuttings, seed collection and dispersion, and seed traps. Watershed Consulting pioneered the application of bioengineering techniques in northern latitudes, specifically the use of "brush-bars."

Brush bars in action! Brush bars enhance riparian ecologic integrity and water quality by holding gravels in place and allowing fine sediment deposition. Since brush bars are living structures, they will gain strength and vigor with time.

Bioengineering involves the design and establishment of living structures to stabilize soil. Brush bars are typically employed on floodplains.

Many of our revegetation techniques dovetail nicely with in-stream fish habitat structures. As a result, we are able to enhance terrestrial and aquatic environments that provide optimum fish habitat.

To assess a project's influence on future conditions (specifically soil stability, ecologic integrity, and water quality) restoration activities should be objectively monitored into the future. We can provide a comprehensive monitoring procedure for each project. Techniques can include photo points, bank strength ratings, sediment deposition and character, plant species composition, and ecologic trends.

Our restoration ecologist, Mark Vander Meer, carries out the assessment, writes the plans, leads the revegetation crew and follows up with maintenance and monitoring. With Watershed Consulting there is no gap between the scientist and on-the-ground work.