Riverscape Reconnection and Science
Process-based restoration to a Stage 0 condition is a valley-scale approach that restores the hydrologic, geologic, and biological processes that shape streams and wetlands. By reconnecting channels to floodplains and restoring water-wood-sediment interactions, this approach rehydrates valleys under baseflow conditions and allows dynamic stream–wetland networks to form. In unconfined valleys, reversing channel incision shifts systems from transport-dominated to depositional, increasing water, wood, sediment, and nutrient storage; supporting diverse habitats; and improving resilience to floods, drought, wildfire, and climate change.
Valley-reset restoration applies active techniques—such as filling incised channels using sediment sourced from within the valley, adding abundant wood, and redistributing flow across the valley bottom—to re-establish depositional processes where passive recovery is unlikely. While process-led techniques like beaver dam analogues (BDAs) can support gradual recovery where system capacity remains, valley-reset rapidly advances systems toward Stage 0 conditions in highly degraded valleys where passive methods would take far longer.
WHAT IS PROCESSED-BASED VALLEY-RESET RESTORATION?
SERVICES
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Valley Reconnection Feasibility Assessment
We evaluate watershed and valley-scale opportunities for floodplain reconnection using geomorphic, hydrologic, ecological and land-use analyses to identify where process-based valley reconnection is feasible and appropriate.
Assessments include constraints screening, risk considerations, and prioritization to inform phased implementation.
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Valley-Reset (Stage 0/8) Design
We develop process-based restoration designs that restore wetlands or anastomosing riverscapes, maximum floodplain connectivity and valley-scale hydrologic function through regrading and strategic wood placement.
Designs are advanced from conceptual through final and tailored to site constraints, risk tolerance and project objectives.
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Permitting and Regulatory Support
We support state, federal and local permitting and environmental compliance for restoration and infrastructure projects, including permit pathway development, agency coordination, and technical documentation.
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Construction Oversight
We provide construction-phase support to ensure restoration intent, permit conditions, and biological protection measures are implemented effectively in the field. Services include on-site coordination, adaptive decision-making and documentation to support compliance and successful project delivery.
Adaptive management is central to successful valley-reset construction and our experience from dozens of projects allows us to make informed, on-site decisions that improve outcomes in dynamic field conditions.
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Fish and Wildlife Relocation
We provide fish and wildlife rescue and salvage planning, permitting support, and field-based operational services, including capture, handling, relocation and monitoring, associated with in-water work and construction dewatering for a wide range of projects.
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Monitoring and Adaptive Management
We design and implement effectiveness monitoring programs to evaluate physical and ecological response to restoration and inform adaptive management over time. Monitoring frameworks are scaled to project objectives, risk, and funding requirements, with clear performance metrics and decision thresholds.
Conventional effectiveness monitoring approaches are often insufficient for evaluating process-based aquatic restoration. We are advancing a new monitoring framework for valley-reset projects that emphasizes system dynamics, spatial heterogeneity, and trajectory-based assessment.
