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Participation Details

Conference App Program

Presenters & Moderators

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Student Activities

Workshops

Technical Trips

Tuesday Night Event

TECHNICAL TRIPS

The Planning Committee is organizing technical trips at the AWRA 2023 Annual Water Resources Conference which are now included with your full or day of conference registration rate - no extra charges! However, you MUST ADD the trip that you want to attend as a program item to your registration. Read below for more details.

Tuesday, November 7 | 1:30 - 5:00 PM
Cost: $0.00

Attendee Limit: 35
Transportation Details: Sponsored by NCWRA

Trip 1: Living History – The impacts of past land use activities on present-day stream morphology and water quality as observed in William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Description: This afternoon field trip to nearby William B. Umstead State Park highlights research into land use history and Anthropocene geomorphic evolution of Piedmont landscapes surrounding Raleigh, typical of much of the Atlantic Piedmont physiographic province. European-American settlement of the southeastern U.S. resulted in the extensive clearing of forest hillslopes for farming and daming streams for milling. These activities resulted in substantial upland soil erosion, rearrangement of first-order channel networks, and the wholesale burial of riparian corridors with millions of tons of legacy (anthropogenic) sediment. The morphology and quality of streams today continue to be impacted by these historic land-use activities.

The Trip will start with a short introduction into the geomorphic history of the area followed by a 5-minute bus ride from the meeting venue to the park. Participants will hike on and near the Loblolly Trail to observe classic examples of soil erosion and early attempts at erosion control, sediment aggradation behind historic mill dams, channel incision and bank erosion into these anthropogenic sediments, and the ongoing elongation of first-order channel networks as they reestablish their equilibrium slope-area positions following landscape reforestation. Participants should be able to walk several miles on uneven ground and enjoy hands-on learning.

Dr. Karl Wegmann will lead the trip and discussions. Karl is an Associate Professor of Geology & Geomorphology in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences Department at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

Tuesday, November 7 | 1:30 - 5:00 PM
Cost: $0.00

Attendee Limit: 35
Transportation Details: Sponsored by NCWRA

Trip 2: Rocky Branch Stream Restoration Tour, NC State University

Description: This tour will feature a stream restoration project implemented on an urban stream located on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh, N.C. Prior to restoration, Rocky Branch was channelized, its floodplains filled and heavy development greatly increased stormwater runoff to the creek. The creek was narrow, deep and suffering from severe erosion. Over a mile of creek was improved using natural channel design concepts. The project was constructed in three phases ending in 2002, 2006 and 2010. The interventions focused on stabilizing the creek; improving water quality, aquatic and wildlife habitat; and integrating the creek into the campus environment. Segments of the creek now meander through an excavated floodplain. 235-feet of stream were “daylighted” - removed from culvert pipes and replaced with a created streambed and small floodplain. An expanded forest buffer provides habitat, cover and food for wildlife, shading and serves as a wildlife corridor. Interpretative signs were installed along the greenway to explain the restoration concepts.

In addition to fixing the creek, a greenway trail was built along the creek. A pedestrian underpass was installed under Pullen Road, connecting campus to Pullen Park and the Raleigh Greenway System. The project also includes numerous innovative stormwater controls that will be featured along the tour.

Dr. Barbara Doll will lead this tour. Barbara is an Associate Extension Professor in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

Tuesday, November 7 | 1:30 - 5:00 PM
Cost: $0.00

Attendee Limit: 50
Transportation Details: Sponsored by NCWRA

Trip 3: Innovative Stormwater Tour

Description: This tour will feature three stormwater projects including low-impact development (LID) and water reuse at a commercial shopping center, stormwater wetlands in a municipal park, and LID at a community education center. The Colonnade, located in North Raleigh, is a 6.25-acre in-fill retail development site that used subsurface stormwater treatment and water reuse to maximize space for the shopping center. The development includes several bioswales, a bioretention area, above and below-ground cisterns, a subsurface infiltration trench, and a drip irrigation system for landscape areas. Stored water is used inside the Whole Foods Market, for exterior landscaping and is infiltrated in a tree preservation area. The Fred Fletcher Park features a large stormwater wetland that includes deep pools designed to capture sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants. The wetland supports a diverse wetland plant community where butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, ducks, and other animal species congregate. The wetland helps to filter stormwater runoff before it flows into Pigeon House Branch. The Walnut Creek Wetland Park features a cistern, rain gardens, and a 5300-square-foot gravel wetland for stormwater filtration. 

REGISTRATION NOTE & CANCELATION POLICY

All conference participants (presenters, moderators, panelists, attendees, etc.) must adhere to the AWRA Code of Conduct and must register at the appropriate registration rate. AWRA Gateway members are not eligible for discounted conference rates. The registration fees are the major source of funding for the Conference, and the sharing of registrations is prohibited - every person attending the conference must register. For presenters, if two or more individuals will be presenting, each individual must register for the conference. This includes: all technical session presenters; all panel session presenters; and all poster session presenters.

Cancelations must be made in writing. Those cancelations received by September 18, 2023 will be subject to a processing fee of 30% of total fees. No refunds will be given after September 18, 2023 but we can transfer your registration to someone else. The transfer must be completed by October 30, 2023. Abstract submission fees are nonrefundable. Refunds will be processed after the conclusion of the conference. Conference location decisions are guided by AWRA's policy.