Topic outline

  • Guidelines for Sampling Stream Bed Materials

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The characteristics of a given stream are linked to the composition of the material that comprises its channel bed, bank, and sediment flow. Knowledge of stream-bed material is necessary for a variety of engineering and environmental purposes. The size and gradation of the streambed material may affect the source, transport, and fate of pollutants; fish habitat; resource management; morphological trends; and stream restorations.

    This course addresses the various approaches to bed sampling, bed material characteristics, and covers step-by-step procedures for field sampling of bed and bank materials.

    Topics:

    • Selection of sites for sampling
    • cross sectional and reach approaches to sampling sand-bed streams
    • Surface sampling of gravel-bed sreams
    • Sediment intrusion into spawning gravels
    • Selecting the proper sampling procedure
    • Step-by-step field sampling procedures
    • Other bed material characteristics
    • Sampling bank materials

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for River, Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description requires a comprehensive knowledge of stream restoration design principles and procedures.
    Publication Source: US NRCS

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1