In her article, “The Role of Riffle-Pool Sequences in Stream Restoration,” municipal engineer, Tani Adhikary, explores how nature-inspired design can transform degraded waterways into thriving ecosystems. Riffle-pool sequences, alternating shallow and deep sections in stream channels, are more than just scenic features. They play a vital role in sediment transport, aquatic habitat diversity, and long-term channel stability.

Tani explains how these formations mimic natural stream behavior, offering refuge for fish, insects, and plants while reducing erosion and promoting self-maintenance. From design principles to maintenance strategies, she highlights the challenges and opportunities in applying these sequences to real-world restoration projects, like the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Butterfield Phase I initiative in Illinois.

This thought leadership article can serve as a call to engineers and environmentalists alike: when we align infrastructure with nature’s rhythms, we build resilience that lasts. Read the full article here.