2 Sep 2026

Riparian Model Evaluation in Beargrass Creek, Kentucky

Purpose: With the growing demand for ecological restoration and accompanying use of ecological models to inform decision-making, there is a pressing need for efficient and effective model evaluation procedures in restoration planning. Ecological complexity and diverse modeling frameworks (e.g., quantitative habitat models versus semiquantitative assessments versus qualitative professional judgment) each create challenges for the verification and validation of ecological forecasting tools. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a semiquantitative riparian assessment model, the Simple Model for Urban Riparian Function (SMURF), relative to herbaceous vegetation community data collected from Beargrass Creek in Louisville, Kentucky. Vegetation community metrics were collected at 15 sites, including species richness, diversity, and native versus invasive species composition. These metrics were compared to multiple SMURF outputs to evaluate model accuracy and reliability. Findings indicate that SMURF metrics are minimally predictive of the empirical vegetation metrics examined here (i.e., 5 of 32 models met criteria for statistical significance). However, vegetation-oriented components of the SMURF model more directly aligned with empirical observations, potentially indicating that the aggregation of many metrics in SMURF makes comparisons with empirical data inappropriate. This study demonstrates the challenges in evaluation of broad-scoped, multimetric indices like SMURF relative to empirical metrics for a particular taxonomic group. These findings also provide insight into the potential limits of commonly used semiquantitative methods for ecosystem assessment.

2 Sep 2026

A Web Application for Riparian Models (WARM)

Purpose: Riparian ecological models are widely used to support restoration planning, impact assessment, and mitigation, but many existing tools remain difficult to locate, interpret, and execute. This technical note documents the development of the Web Application for Riparian Models (WARM), a browser-based platform that compiles and executes nine previously developed riparian models in a standardized interface. WARM provides two primary capabilities: a model comparison tool that helps users identify appropriate models based on project characteristics and a suite of calculators that automate model execution with built-in error checking. All source code is maintained in publicly accessible repositories to support version control, transparency, and future expansion. This technical note describes the model selection process, software architecture, and evaluation procedures used to verify numerical accuracy and assess usability. By reducing technical barriers and centralizing access to riparian modeling tools, WARM improves the practicality and long-term shareability of ecological models for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and other restoration applications.

2 Sep 2026

Workshop for Stream Restoration Design Approaches and Regulatory Integration

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) brought together stream restoration design experts, researchers, and regulatory staff for a two-day workshop in Huntington, West Virginia. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss how different stream restoration design philosophies align with ecological assessment tools and the crediting/debiting systems used by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulatory groups. The event was part of a research project aimed at ensuring appropriate restoration practices are applied to specific landscape contexts, while also identifying and sharing best practices currently used by the restoration community. Focus was concentrated on evaluating the applicability and limits of existing approaches, such as alluvial and threshold channel designs, Stage 0/8 restoration, process-based restoration, and natural channel design, rather than developing new methodologies.

2 Sep 2026

General Salmonid Habitat Model: Phase 3—Model Evaluation, Application, and Documentation

Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) currently operates and maintains water resource structures within many of the waterways that support anadromous fish species. USACE is required to assess the impacts and benefits to the environment of proposed water resource projects (i.e., levee maintenance or construction), including those to anadromous fish, during the planning process. Environmental assessments generally use ecological models to project changes to the environment under future without and future with proposed project plans. This report presents an evaluation of and application guidance for the general salmonid habitat model (salmonid model) to assist with those assessments. Potential applications of the salmonid model include assessing impacts from navigation, flood risk reduction, and hydroelectric operations as well as projecting environmental benefits from ecosystem restoration projects. The salmonid model can be used at multiple spatial scales, and it is sensitive to a range of proposed restoration actions. The model is generally applicable within watersheds that support anadromous fish species within the Pacific Northwest region of the US.

2 Sep 2026

Trajectories of Vegetative Parameters at Poplar Island Tidal Marsh Restoration Cells

Abstract: This special report presents trajectories derived from multiple vegetative parameters at Poplar Island, a marsh restoration project in Chesapeake Bay using beneficially used fine-grained, nutrient-rich dredged material from upper Chesapeake Bay. Long-term datasets of four vegetative metrics from seven fine-grained marsh restoration “cells,” ranging in age from 3 to 19 years postplanting, illustrate that aboveground vegetative growth is rapid but subject to diebacks in early years, finally recovering and reaching an equilibrium level commensurate with or above nearby native marshes in roughly 7–8 years without adaptive management actions. Belowground biomass, in contrast, develops more slowly over time, without the initial burst of biomass. Comparisons with the one Poplar Island cell created with sandy dredged material indicate a different trajectory pattern, with belowground biomass stronger in early years, and the aboveground biomass developing more gradually, but without the dieback events in years 2–4. These results suggest recommendations for restoration practitioners regarding the timing and criteria for monitoring and adaptive management.

2 Sep 2026

Updating Ecological Modeling Within the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): Exploring Innovative Approaches and Implementation Strategies

Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engages in the planning, de-sign, construction, monitoring, and adaptive management of aquatic eco-system restoration projects. Like many organizations, USACE uses ecological models to inform decisions regarding ecosystem restoration and management. Most ecological modeling to support ecosystem restoration is conducted using habitat and other index models. However, these approaches have changed little in decades, while the field of ecology has seen the rapid growth of new modeling techniques with an array of applications. More advanced ecological models have the potential to align more closely with aquatic ecosystem restoration project objectives, provide more accurate predictions, and improve the communication of restoration benefits. This overview of modern ecological modeling approaches highlights promising ways to increase the use of advanced ecological models to sup-port ecosystem restoration. We describe the characteristics, benefits, and constraints of five ecological modeling families—agent-based models, population models, community models, connectivity/network models, and machine learning methods—and their applicability to ecosystem restoration projects. We also outline important considerations for selecting eco-logical models for a given scenario. Finally, we highlight promising avenues for increasing the use of contemporary modeling approaches, including the value of conducting targeted case studies, in light of project planning constraints.

17 Aug 2026

Improving the Design of Large Wood for Streambank Stabilization

Abstract: The Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) program provided research and development funding to develop a module within the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic design tool that can calculate the stability of large wood for river restoration designs. To properly scope the tool, expert opinions were gathered from a group of highly experienced engineers who regularly use large wood in streambank stabilization projects. A premeeting survey was distributed in preparation for a one-day workshop that was held on 21 February 2023 at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)–Seattle District. This EWN technical note summarizes the feedback that was received and the outcome of the workshop.

13 Aug 2026

Engineering Practice Guide for Oyster Reefs: A Natural Infrastructure Approach for Coastal Systems

Abstract: Well-designed oyster reefs enhance coastal resilience by attenuating wave energy, influencing sediment transport, and stabilizing shorelines. As ecosystem engineers, oysters create biogenic reef structures that provide habitat, improve water quality, and support estuarine productivity. When appropriately designed, they can also contribute to coastal storm risk management and navigation improvement objectives. Historically, oyster reefs were widespread features of many US estuaries and bays, playing important roles in shoreline stabilization and estuarine function. However, many reefs have been degraded or lost due to development, overharvesting, and environmental change. Constructed oyster reefs present a natural infrastructure approach that can support both ecological and physical processes that benefit society. While oyster reefs provide multiple benefits, application as natural infrastructure often involves tradeoffs related to cost, performance uncertainty, and long-term sustainability. Oyster reef design should evaluate these tradeoffs and clearly communicate associated risks and expected benefits. This publication is part of a series of technical reports produced by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® Program, offering engineering practice guidelines for designing natural infrastructure solutions for riverine and coastal systems. This guide supports interdisciplinary teams in applying engineering and ecological principles to develop oyster reef projects as natural infrastructure features.

11 Jun 2026

The Bird Islands Ecosystem Design Using Boussinesq Modeling—Barren Island, Mid-Chesapeake Bay

Purpose: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District is currently engaged in an ecosystem restoration within the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Specifically, two islands, Barren Island and James Island, are to undergo restoration using dredged materials and creation of berms and breakwaters to offer a level of protection to the island from wave and surge during storm events. This report focuses on the design of bird habitat development on the Tarbay side of the detached breakwaters in the Barren Island design. During the ongoing Preconstruction, Engineering, and Design (PED) phase of the project, it was determined that terraced islands would be created on the leeside of the detached breakwater system for bird habitat development. Coastal storm inundation and wave loading from Coastal Storm Modeling System (CSTORM-MS) coupled surge and wave modeling system were quantified in a previous effort. These results are used as input to local high-fidelity phase-resolved wave modeling to quantify the hydrodynamics on the island. The terraced structure will include berms. Berm and breakwater stone stability was quantified using Ahrens (1989) reef equations. This report discusses potential erosion and additional structure configurations. Additional offshore reef-type breakwaters were considered to protect the bird islands from waves propagating from the east to the west toward the Tarbay side of the island.

20 Feb 2026

Overview of the Coastal Storm Model Development and Results for the Deer Island Restoration Study Using the Engineering With Nature® Toolkit

Abstract: The Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center presents this study as a comprehensive numerical model development and validation approach that can be employed to simulate winds, waves, and water levels during significant storm events for the Deer Island Restoration Project in Mississippi. Leveraging validated storms from the South Atlantic Coastal Study, this research utilized the Coastal Storm Modeling System with the coupled Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) and Steady-State Spectral Wave (STWAVE) models. As part of this effort, the ADCIRC mesh was updated to encompass the Deer Island region and two variations on elevated water level scenarios were incorporated. Specifically, 10 validated storms were simulated, with varying sea-level conditions, to represent a range of feasibility-level proxy events from a 1- to 10,000-year annual exceedance frequency. The modeling outcomes provide a detailed depiction of water levels, wave heights, and storm surge impacts on Deer Island under different sea-level rise scenarios. These results offer critical insights into the potential effects of the restoration project on Deer Island and the surrounding areas. The findings can inform decision-makers and contribute to formulating effective guidelines for restoration projects within the Mississippi region and in coastal areas facing similar challenges worldwide.