Introduction to Urban Stream Restoration for Contractors
REGISTER HERE
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: This workshop is intended to introduce contractors and young designers to a practical view of stream restoration construction. The course has an optional third day of a construction demo sponsored by 5SSR, RiverSHARED, Elmore Sand and Gravel and Cowin Equipment Rental.
Participants will learn what stream restoration is. Participants will be introduced to why we do stream restoration as an industry and community. Stream restoration construction will be presented in contrast to standard site civil grading. This course will also provide the participants with information and a pathway to enter the stream restoration construction industry or improve current construction processes to optimize efficiencies as a stream restoration contractor.
DATES: Thursday – Friday August 20-21, 2026 (Optional field day on August 22nd)
LOCATION: City of Opelika Public Library | 1100 Glenn St, Opelika, AL 36801
DETAILS:
- Hosted by: Auburn University Water Resources Center
- Led by: David Bidelspach, RiverSHARED/5SSR, Wade Burcham, RiverSHARED/5020, Mike Akins, Creekline, Jeremy Dickey/Cowin Equipment Rental
- CEU’s available | Lunch provided
- Cost for all 3 days: $300, Students and municipal employees fee waived
DRAFT AGENDA
Thursday, August 20
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 9:00 | Welcome & Introductions | AUWRC |
| 9:15 | Good Bad and Ugly Streams | RiverSHARED/ 5SSR |
| 9:45 | What is Stream Restoration | RiverSHARED/ 5SSR |
| 10:30 | Streams Restoration Construction Tools | RiverSHARED/ 5SSR |
| 11:00 | Break | |
| 11:15 | Construction Sequence and Sediment and Erosion Control | RiverSHARED/ 5020 |
| 11:45 | Construction Equipment and Labor | RiverSHARED/ Cowin |
| 12:30 | Lunch and Transport | 5SSR and Cowin Sponsored |
| 1:00 | Field Creekline –
Channel Dimension and Vegetation |
RiverSHARED/Creekline |
| 2:00 | Creek Walk Stream Concerns and Measurements | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 3:00 | Group ideas discussion
Stream Potential Timing for Construction Restoration Potential Erosion Control Tools and Accessibility Constructability Optimization High Potential
|
Breakout Groups |
| 4:00 | Depart Pepperell Creek |
Friday, August 21
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 9:00 | Stream Questions | AUWRC |
| 9:15 | Stream Restoration Methods | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 9:45 | Sediment and Erosion Control Supply | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 10:30 | Break | |
| 11:00 | Master planning and Phasing | RiverSHARED/ 5020 |
| 11:30 | Infrastructure Consideration | RiverSHARED/ 5020 |
| 12:00 | Priority Levels and Grading | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| 1:00 | Concept Design Pepperell – Groups | Breakout Groups |
| 2:00 | Innovative Construction Ideas and More | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 3:00 | Optional: Concept Design at Pepperell | RiverSHARED/Creekline |
Optional Demo on Construction Site Elmore Alabama: Saturday, August 22
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 8:00 | Mortar Creek Intro and Safety | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 8:30 | SEC/3-D Excavation Grading | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 9:30 | Transplants and Supply Skid Steer | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 10:30 | Hauling and Construction Production – Tracked Crawler Dump | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 11:30 | Value added Construction Engineering and Surveying | RiverSHARED/ 5020 |
| 12:00 | Monitoring | RiverSHARED/ 5020 |
| 12:30 | Lunch Onsite Provide | RiverSHARED/5SSR |
| 1:00 | Discussion and Questions | Zone 2 |
| 1:30 | Post Construction Observation | Zone 1 North |
| 3:00 | Pre-Construction RLA | Zone 3 |
| 5:00 | Depart |