river tooth
Giant river tooth, Hoh River, Washington



M a e v e    M c B r i d e
NSF Research Fellow / PhD Student
University of Vermont
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
120B Votey Building
Burlington, VT 05405
p. 802.656.4571
f. 802.656.8446
mmcbride @ emba.uvm.edu


E d u c a t i o n   ~  C u r r e n t   R e s e a r c h  ~  P a s t   R e s e a r c h   ~   P u b l i c a t i o n s   ~   R e s u m e   ~   P h o t o s

R e s e a r c h    I n t e r e s t s

fluvial geomorphology     stream and river restoration     GIS     hydrologic and water quality modeling
  Winooski River, Vermont







E d u c a t i o n

2001  MSE   Civil & Environmental Engineering    University of Washington
    Thesis: Spatial effects of urbanization on physical conditions in Puget Sound lowland streams

1997  BSE   Environmental Systems Engineering    University of Pennsylvania


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C u r r e n t   R e s e a r c h

GEOMORPHIC EFFECTS OF REFORESTATION IN THE SLEEPERS RIVER WATERSHED
Restoration of riparian or streamside forests has become a major focus of watershed initiatives throughout the United States, as a means for improving water quality, temperature regimes, and in-stream physical habitat. Despite these benefits, the effect of riparian restoration on stream channel morphology is largely unknown. We are conducting a multi-phase study to determine the geomorphic driving forces imposed by forested riparian vegetation. Our study is a unique opportunity because it capitalizes on a set of historic data from the Sleepers River Research Watershed in Danville, Vermont. An early study conducted there by Zimmerman et al. (1967) documented larger channel widths in forested reaches than adjacent reaches in “sod”. Several studies since then have confirmed this finding, while others contradict it. Our investigation of the driving mechanisms and processes associated with forested riparian vegetation will help resolve these conflicting findings. (More info see recent poster)

   Unnamed tributary to Sleepers River (stream W-12) shown with 1963
  and 1999 aerial photographs.

Zimmerman, R.C., J.C. Goodlett, and G.H. Comer., The influence of vegetation on  channel form of small streams., in Proc. of the  Symposium on Rivers, International Association of Scientific Hydrology, 255-275, 1967.


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ENGINEERED LOGJAMS FOR RIVER RESTORATION
An engineered logjam is an instream structure designed to mimic natural logjams and their associated fluvial processes in order to achieve physical and ecological objectives. Engineered logjams are an increasingly popular restoration technique in the Pacific Northwest, where there is great concern for threatened and endangered salmonid species. Engineered logjams offer a viable, salmon-friendly alternative to traditional river engineering for bank stabilization and infrastructure protection. (More info on engineered logjams)

P r o j e c t s:
Quilcene River and Floodplain Restoration  -  Northwest Stream Restoration Design Symposium presentation

Tayia River Engineered Logjam Bank Protection - Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Elwha River Logjam Monitoring - Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Stillaguamish River Engineered Logjam Monitoring - Washington Trout

Hydraulic Effects of Ozette River Logjams - Makah Tribe

Design of engineered logjam for Quilcene River, Washington
Planview of Elwha River, Washington
Tayia River, Alaska, photo by Tim Abbe


URBAN STREAMS: FLUVIAL FORM AND RESTORATION
Urban development threatens local and global ecosystems. Urbanization can dramatically alter natural stream-flow regimes and the fluvial form of stream systems. Impervious surfaces associated with urbanization, as well as the extensive changes to soil profiles and native vegetation communities, can change conditions and processes in streams, which often leads to impaired stream health. The impacts of urban development can be minimized with smart development decisions and effective restoration efforts. Successful watershed management in the urban environment requires informed decisions based on a sound understanding of the fluvial forms and processes of urban streams. 

P r o j e c t s:
Spatial Effects of Urbanization on Physical Conditions in Puget Sound Lowland Streams - University of Washington

The Impact of Urban Patterns on Aquatic Ecosystems - University of Washington, Urban Ecology Research Lab

Comparing Paired Urban and Rural Streams in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Natural Lands Restoration and Environmental Education - Fairmount Park Commission, Philadelphia

Conducting stream reach assessment
Example of unstable bank in suburban stream



RIPARIAN REFORESTATION: STUDY AND PRACTICE
Riparian reforestation is a commonly used stream restoration technique in southeastern Pennsylvania and in other parts of the country. The goals of riparian reforestation can be diverse and may include bank stabilization, reduction of sediments and nutrients inputs, and increased shading. In practice, riparian reforestation projects often offer a unique opportunity for engineers, scientists, planners, public officials, citizens, and community groups to join efforts. Engineers and scientists bring expertise in hydrology, hydraulics and geomorphology that can guide restoration projects.   

P r o j e c t s:
Streamside Reforestation: An Analysis of Ecological Benefits and Societal Perceptions - NSF/USEPA

Schuylkill River Riparian Restoration Projects - Schuylkill Riverkeeper



NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION WATERSHED MODELING
Non-point source pollution is best modeled in a spatially-explicit and watershed-based manner because of its diffuse nature. AGNPS, the USDA's grid-based Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution model, and EUTROMOD, a watershed-level hydrologic/water quality model, are examples of models that have been used successfully to predict non-point source loads of sediment and nutrients.

P r o j e c t s:
Statewide Non-point Source Pollution Assessment Methodology - Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation


Prioritization of Virginia watersheds based on total phosphorus loading from agricultural lands

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P u b l i c a t i o n s
Hession, W.C., M. McBride, B.W. Sweeney, J.D. Newbold. (in progress) Riparian forest influence on stream
channel morphology in the Piedmont province of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

McBride, M. and D.B. Booth. (in review) Urban impacts on streams: Effects of spatial scale, connectivity, and longitudinal trends. Journal of the American Water Resources Association.

McBride, M. 2001. Spatial effects of urbanization on physical conditions in Puget Sound lowland streams. Washington Water Resource. 12(2):1-10.

Pizzuto, J.E., W.C. Hession, and M. McBride. 2000. Comparing gravel-bed rivers in paired urban and rural catchments of southeastern Pennsylvania. Geology. 28:79-82.

Hession, W.C., M. McBride, and M. Bennett. 2000. A statewide nonpoint source pollution assessment methodology.  Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 126(3):146-155.


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