Brendan Belby
Brendan applies his knowledge of hydrologic and geomorphic processes to develop strategies to counteract degradation, provide environmental stream flows, and design and implement habitat restoration designs. His emphasis is on stream restoration and investigation of human impacts in riverine environments.
Brendan manages projects with key geomorphology and hydrology objectives using hydrologic modeling to assess unimpaired and impaired stream flows. He uses 2D hydraulic modeling and sediment transport analysis to evaluate how altered flows change suitable habitats for target species; recommends channel maintenance flows; and develops new channel, fish passage, and habitat structure designs.
Brendan also evaluates the impacts of dams and diversions on hydrologic processes and sediment deliveries to regulated reaches. He implements channel assessment, stream gaging, sediment transport measurement, groundwater well installation, wetland water budgets, and numerical modeling in his work.
In his habitat restoration work, Brendan uses GIS to analyze air photos, LiDAR, and other data to evaluate historic land-use changes, identify key geomorphic processes, and identify the opportunities and constraints of alternative restoration designs.
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Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, Society for Ecological Restoration
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Certified Professional Hydrologist, American Institute of Hydrology
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M.S., Geomorphology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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“National Large Wood Manual Assessment, Planning, Design, and Maintenance of Large Wood in Fluvial Ecosystems: Restoring Process, Function, and Structure,” Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2015.