Joe Wheaton's Research
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More about joe

bio (Longer)

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Joe Wheaton is a Professor of Riverscapes at Utah State University, a fluvial geomorphologist and a seasoned restoration practitioner. Joe's research is focused on better understanding the dynamics of riverscapes, how such fluvial processes shape instream and riparian habitats, and how biota modulate and amplify those processes. For example, some of Joe's research focuses on how the dam building activity of beaver alter physical habitat for their own benefit, but also to the benefit of a slew of other fauna and flora.

​Much of Joe's work focuses on taking such understandings and translating them into useful applications. For example, Joe has helped pioneer the development of new stream restoration approaches (e.g. low-tech process-based restoration using beaver as a restoration agent), building larges scale monitoring programs that leverage the latest technologies (e.g. Columbia Habitat Monitoring Program and Big Rivers Monitoring Program), and building new analytical software apps (e.g. Geomorphic Change Detection Software) and simulation models (e.g. MORPHED, BRAT) to help scientists and practitioners alike. Joe's work straddles the interface between physical and ecological sciences.

Joe runs the 
Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab in Utah State University's Department of Watershed Science and his group is a leader in the monitoring and modeling of riverine habitats and watersheds. Joe is also co-owner of Anabranch Solutions, a consulting firm he, Steve Bennett and Nick Bouwes started in response to queries from practitioners needing help doing  low-tech process-based restoration.  He worked four years in consulting engineering before completing his B.S. in Hydrology (2002, UC Davis), an M.S. in Hydrologic Sciences (2003, UC Davis), and a Ph.D. in Geography (2008, University of Southampton, UK). He worked as a lecturer in Physical Geography (University of Wales 2006-08), Research Assistant Professor in Geology (Idaho State University, 2008-09) before becoming an Assistant Professor at Utah State University (2009-Present) where he teaches courses on  fluival geomorphology, fluvial hydraulics, ecohydraulics,  low-tech process-based restoration, GIS, geomorphic change detection, and river restoration. ​

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Abbreviated Bio

Good for Talk Introductions
Joe Wheaton is a Professor of Riverscapes at Utah State University's Watershed Science Department.  He co-founded the Restoration Consortium at USU, the international Riverscapes Consortium, and has worked since 2000 in riverscape restoration as both a researcher and practitioner. He is the lead author of the Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes Design Manual and a principle and co-founder of a design-build restoration firm, Anabranch Solutions.

BIO-PICs

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Artist sketch of Joe by Kelly Stanford
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In short

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  • Born and raised in the Napa Valley of California, USA
  • Started out studying and working in civil engineering, landuse planning and erosion control
  • Got interested in watershed hydrology and finally completed bachelors degree in hydrology - UC Davis
  • Started doing research on spawning habitat rehabilitation and fluvial geomorphology as an undergraduate and then went on to complete a masters degree in hydrologic sciences - UC Davis
  • Wanted to continue doing research in fluvial geomorphology, but sought a different perspective; so, moved to England to do a PhD - Southampton
  • Joined Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Wales Aberystwyth in January of 2006 as a Lecturer in Physical Geography
  • Joined Department of Geosciences at Idaho State University in August of 2008 as Research Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2008.
  • Joined Watershed Sciences at Utah State University of August of 2009 as an Assistant Professor
  • Promoted to Associate Professor in 2015
  • Promoted to Full Professor in 2021
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A little background from Ecohydraulics Channel below on how joe got into ecohydraulics.

education

  • Ph.D. in Geography University of Southampton School of Geography, Southampton, Hampshire, UK; Received: June 2008. (Supervisors: Professor David Sear, Dr. Steve Darby)
  • M.S. Degree in Hydrologic Sciences; University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Received: June 2003. (Supervisor: Professor Greg Pasternack)
  • B.S. Degree in Hydrology; University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Received: June 2002. 
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professional experience

  • 2021 to Present: Professor of Riverscapes. Watershed Sciences, Utah State University ​
  • 2015 to 2021: Associate Professor: Watershed Sciences, Utah State University 
  • 2015 to Present: Principal & Co-Owner of Anabranch Solutions, LLC
  • 2009 to 2015: Assistant Professor: Watershed Sciences, Utah State University
  • 2008 to 2010: Associate Consultant: CH2M-Hill, Boise, ID
  • 2008 to 2009: Research Assistant Professor: Department of Geosciences, Idaho State University
  • 2006 to 2008: Lecturer: IGES, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales
  • 2000 to 2003: Sub-Consultant: & Engineering  Drafting Services: Jennifer Chandler Landscape Architect, Napa, CA
  • 1997 to 2000: Civil Engineering Technician: Bartelt Engineering, Napa, CA
  • 1995 to 1996: Civil Engineering Intern: Napa County Public Works, Napa, CA
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professional affiliations

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  • Certified River Styler
  • CPESC #2594: Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, Inc.
  • International Erosion Control Association: Professional Member
  • American Institute of Hydrology: Certified Hydrologist in Training (HIT)
  • American Fisheries Society: Member
  • American Geophysical Union: Member
  • British Geomorphological Research Group: Member
  • British Hydrologic Society: Member

other pages

  • WATS Profile
  • ICRRR Profile
  • Ecology Center Profile
  • Water Initiative at USU Profile
  • Center for Watershed Sciences Profile
  • IGES's Staff Profile Page
  • Google Profile
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  • Home
    • About Joe
    • Contact
    • News & Annoucements
    • River Links
  • Research
    • Publications & Scholarly Works
    • The Wheaton ETAL (Lab) @ FHC >
      • FHC & ETAL Projects
    • Riverscapes Consoritum >
      • GCD
      • GUT
      • BRAT
      • RCAT
      • GNAT
    • CHaMP
    • ISEMP
  • Teaching
    • Workshops >
      • Geomorphic Change Detection Workshop
      • Partnering with Beaver in Restoration
      • Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration
    • Course Pages >
      • WATS 5150 - Fluvial Geomorphology
      • WATS 5340 - 5350 - Design Capstone
      • WATS 5620-5624 - LTPBR Series
      • WATS 6840 - Ecohydrauolics
      • WATS 6850 - Geomorphic Change Detection
      • WATS 6860 - Beaver Restoration
      • Old Courses >
        • Advanced GIS Courses
        • WATS 6900 - Fluvial Hydraulics & Ecohydraulics
  • Graduate Students
    • Prospective Students >
      • Graduate Topics
    • Current Graduate Students
    • Former Graduate Students
  • Service
  • ET-AL