River2D Modeling Short Course Continuing Education Classes

Wednesday, March 10

Instructors: Terry Waddle, PhD, U.S. Geological Survey, Mark Gard, PhD, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ed Ballard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The River2D workshop is an intensive introduction to use of the River2D two-dimensional hydrodynamic model to represent segments of streams where quantitative information about aquatic habitats is needed. The workshop consists of lectures and hands-on exercises covering processing of field data, construction of needed input files, quality control and execution of the River2D model, and a brief introduction to habitat modeling based on 2D hydrodynamic model results. Course participants are expected to have basic familiarity with a spreadsheet program and the Windows operating system. Participants will be introduced to the types of data needed for the modeling process, quality control of that data, construction of required input files, running of the River2D model and quality evaluation of its output.

The workshop consists of lectures followed by hands-on exercises. While each exercise builds on the concepts of the last, complete files for each step are included to ensure all participants can keep pace with the intensive time line of the class.

Upon completing the workshop, participants will be able to construct a bathymetric data input file, construct a computational mesh, run the River2D model, evaluate the quality and accuracy of model results, and perform a basic quantification of physical habitat over a habitat study site. 

Participants will be expected to provide their own laptop computer. Minimum requirements are: Windows 2000 or XP and 256 Mb of RAM (however, the more RAM the better). River2D works on Vista machines.  A fast computer is better for large files.  River2D should work with Windows7 as well, but it hasn’t been tested to confirm.  The River2D software should be downloaded prior to the class from http://www.river2d.ualberta.ca/download.htm.  This package includes tutorials that new users would be highly advised to work through before the workshop. A full program set will be available at the class on CD ROM and on USB key.

 Using Acoustic Tags to Track Fish Continuing Education Class

Wednesday, March 10

Instructors: Sam Johnston, Senior Fisheries Biologist, HTI and Pat Nealson, Senior Fisheries Biologist, HTI

Using Acoustic Tags to Track Fish is an intensive 2-day course on the use of acoustic tags for tracking fish. You will learn how acoustic tags are used to estimate fish survival and to monitor fish behavior in 2D and 3D in rivers, lakes and marine environments. The course will include acoustic theory and real world application examples along with hands-on demonstration of acoustic tag deployment, data collection, reduction and analysis, and Q&A with the technology’s leading experts. Recent advances in acoustic tag technology, including tag miniaturization, extended detection ranges, real-time access, and remote access will be discussed. An instruction manual will be provided, along with reports and papers from case studies.

Requirements for Completion: Course participants will be required to attend 90% of the lecture and lab. In addition, the participants must complete the course evaluation form and a brief written exam.

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, fisheries managers will be able to prudently plan acoustic tag research drawing on presented acoustic theory and techniques as well as the pros and cons of acoustic tag studies.

Additional Information: HTI's acoustic tag short courses have been conducted worldwide for over 10 years. Acoustic tag short courses are attended by biologists, engineers, managers, and technicians from fisheries agencies, consulting firms, power producers, and regulatory agencies.  A team of two HTI Senior Scientists will lead the course, each with over 27 years experience using and teaching the use of fisheries acoustics. 

Thursday Continuing Education Classes

Effective Presentation Skills

Instructor: JD Wilkert, Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Students learn the five P’s of effectively communicating in front of an audience: Preparing, Planning, PowerPoint, Practicing, and Presenting.  Do’s and Don’ts for each category are demonstrated and discussed.  Students practice presentations and receive friendly feedback from other students and the instructor.  Students learn how to avoid common problems when giving presentations, and how to be an effective session moderator.