Challenges and Prospects for Restoring Urban Streams: A Perspective from the Pacific Northwest of North America

Authors:
Booth, D.B.

Publication Date:
2005

Abstract/Summary:
In the absence of effective hydro-logic mitigation, appropriate short-term rehabilitation objectives for urban channels should be to 1) eliminate point sources of pollution, 2) reconstruct physical channel elements to resemble equivalent undisturbed channels, and 3) provide habitat for self-sustaining biotic communities, even if those communities depart significantly from predisturbance conditions. Long-term improvement of stream conditions is not feasible under typical urban constraints, so large sums of money should not be spent on unrealistic or unreachable targets for stream rehabilitation. However, such a strategy should not be an excuse to preclude potential future gains by taking irreversible present-day development or rehabilitative actions.

Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article

Source:
Journal of the North American Benthological Society

Link:
http://www.stillwatersci.com/resources/2005booth.pdf