Natural Channel Design: Evolution, Application & Future Direction
Dave Rosgen, PhD, PH
Wildland Hydrology
Fort Collins, CO
Brandon Rosgen
Wildland Hydrology
Fort Collins, CO
Alan Walker
Resource Institute
Waynesville, NC
Matt C. Kondratieff
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Fort Collins, CO
Andrea Taillacq, PE
Tailwater Limited
Wellington, CO
David Skuodas, PE, CFM, LEED AP
Mile High Flood District
Denver, CO
Agenda
9:10 Project Objectives & Monitoring - Matt C. Kondratieff
9:30 Assessmen30 & Design Tools - Andrea Taillacq
9:50 Design & Implementation - Brandon Rosgen
10:10 Break
10:30 Implementation/Construction - Scott Britton
10:50 Urban Restoration - David Skuodas
11:10 Funding - Alan Walker
11:30 Open Discussion
12:00 Adjourn
Over the past several decades, river restoration has evolved from structure-focused interventions to more integrated applications of geomorphic, hydraulic, and ecological principles. In this featured plenary, Dave Rosgen reflects on the development of Natural Channel Design within the broader evolution of restoration practice and Nature-Based Solutions.
The presentation will examine how form and process interact, how objectives and regional context shape design decisions, and how definitions of success have evolved. Drawing from decades of experience, Rosgen will highlight connections among assessment, design, construction, and monitoring, with a focus on lessons learned and adapting to emerging challenges.
This session provides historical grounding and practical perspective to frame where the field has been and where it is headed.
Facilitated Panel
Restoration projects are most effective when objectives, assessment, design, construction, and monitoring are aligned. As these phases have become more specialized, coordination across the project lifecycle is increasingly critical.
This interactive panel explores restoration from concept to delivery through case examples and discussion. Panelists will address:
How objectives influence funding, assessment, and monitoring
Whether we are asking the right questions early enough
Balancing models with site-specific judgment
Implementation realities and adaptive decision-making
Strengthening evaluation and long-term monitoring
Audience participation will be integrated throughout, guided by three questions: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where do we need to be?
This session fosters dialogue across disciplines on the future of restoration practice.
About David Rosgen, PhD, PH
Dave is a Professional Hydrologist and Geomorphologist with field experience in river work spanning 49 years, 20 of which were with the U.S. Forest Service. Dave has designed and implemented over 70 large-scale river restoration projects. Dave developed a stream classification system, the BANCS streambank erosion model, the FLOWSED/POWERSED sediment transport models, the WARSSS methodology for cumulative watershed assessment, and a geomorphologic approach to Natural Channel Design restoration methodology. Dave utilizes his extensive experience to conduct short courses in watershed management, river morphology, restoration, and wildland hydrology applications. Dave is also the author of Applied River Morphology and Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS) and over 70 reports and articles in research journals, symposia, and federal agency manuals. Dave and his projects have been featured in Time, Science, 5280, National Geographic, The Denver Post, and The New York Times.
About Alan Walker
Alan Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and served 36 years with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He began his career as a Soil Conservationist and culminated with six years as the Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in Waynesville, NC. In that role, Alan supervised District Conservationists across 33 western North Carolina counties, advised area support staff, and coordinated a comprehensive resource conservation program. He was instrumental in forming a pilot project with federal, state, and nonprofit partners to accelerate EQIP assistance in western North Carolina.
Today, Alan continues his lifelong commitment to conservation as a Senior Project Manager with Resource Institute. He leads the Western North Carolina Stream Initiative, coordinates Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, and serves as an agency liaison, ensuring strong partnerships between Resource Institute and its federal, state, and local collaborators.
About Brandon Rosgen
Brandon graduated from Colorado State University in Watershed Science and has extensive experience in measuring and analyzing streambank erosion, channel stability, and sediment transport in addition to operating construction equipment for river restoration. Brandon has participated in the watershed assessment, design, implementation, and field supervision of numerous large-scale restoration projects, including the Upper Laramie River, Nunn Creek, Ohio Creek, Blue River near Kremmling, Three Forks Ranch, Trail Creek (Hayman Fire), and Waldo Canyon Fire restorations in Colorado and the Heart Rock Ranch restoration in Idaho. Brandon is the instructor for the Basic Survey Skills course and is an assistant for many of the short courses (Levels I-4).
About Matt C. Kondratieff
Matt Kondratieff is an Aquatic Research Scientist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Fort Collins, CO U.S.A. He completed his undergraduate work in California at U.C. Davis, received his Master’s degree from Colorado State University and he worked for three years as a fisheries biologist for Wyoming Game and Fish in Pinedale, WY before moving back to Colorado. Matt has 19 years of experience conducting the assessment and monitoring of fish populations and habitat in rivers across Colorado. He also studies the barrier potential of river structures to fish including everything from whitewater parks to conservation barriers designed to protect native fish to technical fishways to water diversions and dams.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kondratieff-matt-00a5a578/
About Andrea Taillacq
Licensed Professional Engineer; CO, WY, UT, NM
M.S. Engineering Systems—Civil Specialty, CO School of Mines
B.S. Engineering—Mechanical Specialty
Andrea has over eighteen years of experience related to project management, hydrology, water resources, and water rights. After working for federal and state agencies and small and mid-sized consulting firms Andrea and Greg formed Tailwater Limited in July 2016. Andrea has extensive experience in the field collecting hydrographic data and compiling hydrographic and climatic data to evaluate trends to determine historic use, and evaluate changes resulting from change of water use. Andrea has performed over 1,000 streamflow measurements and reviewed thousands of discharge measurements performed by others for completeness and accuracy. Andrea has developed stage-discharge and index-velocity rating curves for realtime computation of streamflow. Andrea understands the legal processes in Colorado Water Court and Colorado Division of Water Resources and has provided the engineering documentation required for change of use applications and substitute water supply plans. Andrea has provided engineering analysis for application of change of water rights and evaluated engineering analysis performed by others in opposition of change of water rights in Colorado.
About David Skuodas
Coming Soon