Stream Restoration: What works? What doesn't?

This is a discussion of the article Roni et al. (2008) "Global review of physical and biological effectiveness of stream habitat rehabilitation techniques".

Note: you can click on any images to enlarge them.

Above are the categories of restoration practices that were documented, the specific techniques involved, the goals of the restoration, and the relative success or factors limiting success. Overall there is the overwhelming need for better monitoring strategy and long term monitoring. It would be very advantegeous to develop monitoring standards so that results from one restoration can be compared to another easily.

SCENARIOS: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF………
1) Excessive peak flows, as well as normal flows continually undercut steep channel banks, causing large volumes of bank material to enter the stream and lake system.
a. Local Fixes: Reconstruct channel geometry
i. Re-establish floodplain connection
b. Watershed fixes?
i. LID retrofitting
2) Most perennial and intermittent channels have poor streambank integrity and you notice the unusual absence of vegetation.
a. Riparian Vegetation
b. Hydraulic structures
c. Increased floodplain connection
3) Local erosion from concentrated runoff by a large number of paved roads, which are frequently traveled by vehicles.
a. This is a real problem, not sure if you can do anything at all if the roads are commonly used.
4) In a highly urbanized watershed, a stream running through a subdivision frequently floods, risks damage to housing, and has a high sediment load to the lake which it feeds. The stream is severely eroded and houses are situated close to the stream.
a. Instream structures to dissipate energy (reduce sediment load)
b. Watershed fixes
5) Trails caused by livestock, particularly cattle, concentrate runoff into small streams and erodible areas;
a. Fence off livestock
b. Riparian enhancement (slow water velocities)
6) Several watersheds suffer from livestock overuse and improper grazing management systems;
a. Fence off livestock
b. Riparian enhancement
c. Re-structure management systems
7) A stream in an agricultural watershed has exceedingly high nutrient loads. Eutrophication is occuring and is severely impacting biodiversity and aquatic life. You do not know the source of the nutrient pollution.
a. Change farming management strategy?
i. Less use of fertilizer, more controlled management. Offer incentives to farmers to abide by rules.
8) Consider an active meander bend, where the outside of the borders important infrastructure. The river provides habitat to a numerous species of salmon(e.g. Chinook) and trout (e.g. rainbow).

Note: click to enlarge