EWN Presentations
May 2025

Stream Applications of Natural & Nature Based Features (NNBF) in the Arid SW

About This Presentation

This presentation was delivered by Dr. Christopher Haring, Research Physical Scientist and Lead for the Fluvial Chapters of the Engineering With Nature (EWN) initiative at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. It was part of the May 2025 workshop titled EWN Natural and Nature-Based Features Playbook for the Arid Southwest.”

Over the past two centuries, human activities have dramatically altered natural landscapes—through widespread vegetation clearing, reduced groundwater discharge, wetland drainage, stream channelization, floodplain confinement via levees, and urban development dominated by impervious surfaces. These changes have led to numerous ecological and geomorphological challenges, including channel instability, streambank erosion, and the degradation of tributary systems.

This presentation explores strategies to mitigate these human-induced impacts by reestablishing and enhancing natural processes. Through case studies and practical examples, Dr. Haring outlines approaches that integrate engineering principles with ecological restoration to promote sustainable, resilient landscapes in arid environments.

Point of Contact

Research Physical Scientist, Lead for EWN Fluvial Chapters, USACE-ERDC Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory

Associated Research Projects

This research project investigates how Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) have been used along the Rio Grande and its tributaries to support ecosystem restoration and flood risk management (FRM). Through case st...
This project will develop fluvial inland watershed guidance for studying, analyzing, developing, and implementing watershed-based sediment management practices for successful implementation of water resource projects ...
This project will create regionalized guidance and tools for landowners to incorporate EWN® methods in riverbank stabilization project in the Missouri Ozarks. The project will also establish a streamlined permit proce...
Wildfires can cause extreme loss of vegetation and soil instabilities that make affected areas highly susceptible to increased runoff, flooding, and transport of debris, and reduced quality of aquatic and terrestrial ...

Associated Engagements

7
May
2025
The Arid Southwest NNBF Playbook Workshop, held May 7–8, 2025, in Albuquerque, NM, brought together more than 35 participants from over 20 federal, state, tribal, academic, and non-governmental organizations. Hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engin...