Dr. John Schwartz, associate professor of civil & environmental engineering, will speak on “Restoring Urban Streams: What Is ‘Natural’?” at the next UT Science Forum, Friday, Oct. 23.
Streams in urban watersheds are affected by rain running off streets and parking lots. Storms cause higher and longer flows in streams, leading to more erosion in places. Urban stream channels have been straightened, shifted for development, and armored with concrete or rip-rap rock to limit erosion. These changes greatly impact aquatic life and water quality. What can be done? And what is “natural” in streams that can’t be returned to a former “pristine” condition? We’ll explore the current practice and challenges of creek restoration and University of Tennessee research to restore urban streams.
The UT Science Forum begins at 12 p.m. in the Thompson-Boling Arena Cafe, Rooms C-D. The 40-minute presentation is followed by a Q&A session. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch or purchase it from the Cafe.
The Science Forum is free and open to the public.