A new paper has been published on the subject of stream restoration. The paper will most likely change the way stream restoration will occur in the future, because it adds to the understanding of the way water flows naturally across the continent. In the past, scientists concluded that water flows in a ribbon-like pattern, cutting through silt-filled banks. The new study takes into account the fact that the old studies were basing part of their conclusions on man-made artifacts, not natural stream patterns. These man-made artifacts are silty areas caused by dams built in the 1700s. Dams were very common back then and were built for typical economic reasons such as to have a grist mill. The dams caused silt to build up behind them, and long after the dams were no longer maintained and failed, the silty banks through which the newly-freed streams ran were left behind to influence their course.

• Stream Restoration