Drones: Innovating Restoration Practices from the Sky

Before, during, and after. Capturing videos and imagery of projects during every stage is an invaluable tool for restoration practitioners.

The scale of our restoration projects often makes it difficult to see the big picture, but with the use of drones, we can start to see how our work is impacting streams. Our project managers are on the ground taking photos and observations throughout the duration of the project, but the view from above gives us an extra level of information that would be otherwise lost. 

BEFORE the project, we often take aerial drone imagery and videos to show the current channel conditions, including any existing structures, secondary channels, and canopy cover. For example, during our Bear Creek River Mile 19 project, a series of images showed us the extent of bank erosion around an old stormwater drainage pipe. Over time, more of the pipe became visible, and we were able to quickly determine that 6-8 feet of bank was lost around the pipe (and additional 12' laterally nearby) during several high water events in 2023. 

Bank erosion evident by stormwater drainage pipe. Image on the left was taken 9.9.22 and image on the right was taken 12.20.22

DURING the project, we can reference these resources as structures are going in, and our engineers and contractors are able to visualize the entire project more easily during the early planning stages. We also take many pictures on the ground during construction as a way to track progress over time. Occasionally, we get the drone running during the project to capture our work for the benefit of funders, partners, and the public to visualize the process. For example, we often have drone videos produced of our dam removal projects as we can show the immediate impacts of restoration. Check out our most recent production showing the removal of Williams-Whalen Dam in the Evans Creek subbasin below, including footage of the removal by Staton Companies. 

Williams Whalen Dam Removal Project

AFTER the project, drones show us the short-term effects of restoration. We often wait until late fall or early winter when flows are higher so that secondary channels can be seen. Witnessing these first channel connections that resulted from restoration actions often provides our project managers with joy (and occasionally relief) as we know the design has worked. In addition to showing the floodplain as a whole, we are also able to zoom in to new structures, analyze channel complexity, and explore how the river is adapting to higher flows in the winter and spring. Sometimes we accidentally capture wildlife, such as a muskrat or otter swimming in the newly restored stream reach. These final videos are a way for us to tell the full story, from landowner recruitment to the final project implementation and results. Our South Fork Little Butte Creek River Mile 6.2 project is a perfect example of this…

South Fork Little Butte Creek River Mile 6.2 - Landowner Perspective

As you can see, drones are an essential tool in our toolbox. We work with several organizations and contractors that are excellent drone pilots. Cascade Stream Solutions, an engineering firm that works on many of our projects, and SeaRun Media, a local drone videographer, provide incredible imagery that enhances our ability to communicate our work to a broader audience. Hopefully that includes you!

Check out our extensive archive of videos here (https://vimeo.com/rrwc) and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more this winter- including the response of our Bear Creek River Mile 19 project during high flows in late December.