Use of River2D Hydrodynamic Model for Stream Restoration Assessment and Design

In urbanizing streams, the use of two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic models are essential for prediction of flow capacity channel stability, infrastructure protection, and physical habitat enhancement. River2D, a 2D hydrodynamic model has the capability to meet these needs for stream restoration assessment and design. As a restoration tool, depth-average and shear velocities for finite element cells within a mesh grid, which can be assessed for maximums spatially estimated throughout a design reach. Velocities can be estimated for current conditions and multiple design morphologies. Physical habitat quality can be assessed using species preferences for habitat suitability. Typically applied to fish species, weighted usable areas (WUAs) utilizing preferences for velocity, depth, and channel substrate are computed with River2D. Examples of model performance and their output's use in the design process are presented for the: 1) Embarras River, Champaign County, Illinois; 2) West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, Sevier County, Tennessee; and 3) Beaver Creek, Knox County, Tennessee.