TRACK 2, DAY 1
KEYNOTE: 3-D Ecosystem Design, Corridor Optimization and Construction for Risk Reduction of Ecosystem Restoration Projects
David Bidelspach, 5 Smooth Stones Restoration
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Hall F
ABSTRACT
This presentation will describe what 3-D Stream Restoration using Natural Channel Design was in 2005, compared to what 3-D Ecosystem Corridor Design was in 2025. The design process to optimize goals and objectives while reducing risk of failure is an advancing science that requires tools from multiple disciplines.
This presentation will also briefly present an introductory knowledge of tools for optimization and an opportunity for enrollment in future local training opportunities in conjunction with McMaster University in 2026 and beyond.
The guiding desire for this talk on 3-D Ecosystem Corridor Design is to lead the audience to a Natural Awe Restoration and reframe restoration as not only ecological, but emotional and economic.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
David Bidelspach, 5 Smooth Stones Restoration
David Bidelspach is a nationally recognized in both the United States and Canada as a river restoration specialist with a broad range of experience restoring damaged ecosystems.
Mr. Bidelspach’s academic and research background includes five years with the Stream Restoration Program at North Carolina State University (NCSU), where he provided assessment, design, and construction oversight services on many restoration projects and taught courses related to river assessment, restoration design, and construction administration. He also worked for nine years as the river restoration technical leader for a large engineering consulting firm.
He has completed more than 100 river restoration/stabilization projects in 32 states, 6 Canadian Provinces/Territories, and Costa Rica. Mr. Bidelspach was mentored at NCSU by Dr. Greg Jennings and Wildland Hydrology by Dr. Dave Rosgen and worked with Brad Fairley at Stantec Consulting in both the countries.
He specializes in using Natural- Based Solutions for River Corridor Design coupled with a traditional engineering framework for river restoration designs to achieve optimal project goals and objectives. The MCDA framework has been utilized and taught by Mr. Bidelspach and incorporates NCD, three-dimensional (3-D) stream design, limiting factors analysis for fisheries, flood risk, geomorphic assessment, river resiliency, cost analysis, changing points of diversion, and stakeholder involvement into a design optimization scheme.