THE LOS ANGELES AND BUFFALO RIVERS: RESTORATION OF URBAN RIVER SYSTEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT LEARNING

The restoration of urban rivers offers opportunities to introduce geoscience students to topics covered in many geology courses including environmental geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology. For the past twenty years, the Los Angeles River and the Buffalo River have been the focus of restoration efforts. While distinct differences exist between these two urban rivers, both share several common features that can serve as the basis for case studies to teach students about urban geology, engineering geology, and urban river restoration. Restoration efforts of the Los Angeles and Buffalo Rivers have been driven by citizen groups (Friends of the Los Angeles River and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeepers, formerly Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers) and involve raising awareness of the existence and value of the rivers. Historically, both rivers have undergone extensive flood control engineering and modification of their channels. However, recent habitat restoration projects within the riparian zone have started to change how people see and value the rivers as more than simply providing flood protection and as a conduit for industrial discharges. Based upon the Los Angeles and Buffalo Rivers, and an overview of the history and environmental issues of these systems, we have developed ideas for the development of river restoration curriculum modules suitable for teaching students in introductory and advanced geoscience courses.