Douglas M. Thompson
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Astronomy and
Geophysics
My wife, Rebecca Nash, and I
enjoying the panoramic view from the summit of Longs Peak (elevation 4,345
meters or 14,256 feet), Rocky Mountain National Park,
What is a Geomorphologist?
I am a geomorphologist by training. Geomorphology is best defined
as the study of the landforms and the natural processes responsible for their
formation. Many of the geomorphic topics of interest include the landforms and
processes associated with rivers, glaciers, landslides, beaches and arid
regions.
Education
I received a B.A. from
Course Offerings
Environmental Studies/Geophysics 115:
Introduction to Physical Geology
The theory of plate tectonics is introduced
to help explain the evolution of the earth. Special emphasis is placed on the
geologic processes responsible for the creation of mountain ranges, volcanoes
and earthquakes, and local field investigation (yearly 1997-2006).
Environmental Studies/Geophysics 210:
Hydrology
Introduction to global circulation patterns and
the hydrologic water cycle. Topics include evaporation, precipitation,
infiltration, flow through porous media, overland
flow, ground water contamination and atmospheric circulation processes (1998,
1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007).
Environmental Studies 310: Introduction to
Geographic Information Systems
Introduction to the concepts and practices of
geographic information systems. Topics include spatial analysis
concepts, and geographical data entry, manipulation and display using PC
ARC/INFO (2000).
Environmental Studies/Geophysics 314: Earth
Surface Processes and Landforms
A general investigation of earth surface processes and the
resultant landforms. Topics include soil formation, weathering, and erosion
and deposition by rivers, glaciers and landslides (1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005).
Environmental Studies 318: Processes and
Biological Adaptation in the Southwestern U.S
An
intensive field course emphasizing biological responses to changes in the physical
environment. Topics progress from a
discussion of the role plate tectonics in the formation of the southwestern
landscape, to a focus on the influence of local topography and natural
disturbance regimes on the distribution and ecological adaptations of different
species of plants and animals. Field
trips are based at research stations in the southwestern US and investigate
regional geologic processes and their influence on natural communities in
deserts; arid grasslands; oak and pygmy conifer woodlands; and pine and spruce
forests (to be taught).
Environmental Studies/Geophysics 410: Environmental River Restoration
The development and evolution of natural channel systems with a
special emphasis on environmental river restoration and aquatic habitat. Students are expected to develop a
restoration design for possible implementation. Topics include the physics of
flowing water, sediment transport by rivers, flow and substrate
characterization techniques and flood hydrology (1999 and 2001).
Environmental Studies 494d: Geologic
Hazards and Humans
Introduction to flooding, landslide, climatic, volcanic and
earthquake hazards facing humans. Seminar topics examine the role of
individuals, industry and government in preparing for and responding to natural
disasters (1998, 1999 and 2002).
Environmental Studies 494h Ecology And Geology Of The
Discussions
will emphasize biological responses to changes in the physical environment in
the arid Southwest. Topics progress from
the role of local topography and weather patterns on local environments, to the
influence of natural disturbance regimes on the distribution of different
species of plants and animals. Emphasis
on how understanding ecological and geological processes can help prevent and
solve environmental problems (2005).
Research Interests
Follow this link for a description of my
current projects and research images.
My research is focused on
river processes, and the physical channel characteristics created by these
processes. I am keenly interested in the formation and maintenance of the pool
and riffle sequences. Pools and riffles are one of the major physical features
in streams and provide some of the most important aquatic habitat. It is
important to understand the development of these physical environments to
adequately protect aquatic species. I am particularly interested in applying my
research to help improve stream-restoration projects. Many restoration projects
are currently underway in an effort to protect environmentally sensitive fish
species including Atlantic salmon. I study the techniques used to restore
channel function, and specialize in the history of the use of device called instream structures. Most of my fieldwork is conducted in
the coarse-bedded and high-gradient channels preferred by trout and salmon. My
current research is supported by a four-year research grant from the National
Science Foundation.
Publications
Thompson, D.M.,
in preparation. The
linkage between velocity patterns and sediment entrainment in a pool-riffle
unit. Earth
Surface Processes and Landforms.
Thompson, D.M., in preparation. The influence of lee sediment
behind large bed elements on bedload-transport rates
in supply-limited channels. Geomorphology.
McBride,
M., W.C. Hession, D.M. Rizzo and D.M. Thompson, in review. The influence of
riparian vegetation on near-bank turbulence: a flume experiment. Earth Surface
Processes and Landforms.
Thompson, D.M.,
in press. Turbulence characteristics in a shear zone
downstream of a channel constriction in a coarse-grained pool. Geomorphology.
Thompson, D.M.,
2006. Did the pre-1980 use of instream structures
improve streams? A reanalysis of historic data. Ecological
Applications, vol. 16, p. 784-796.
Thompson, D.M.,
2006. Changes in pool size in response to a reduction in discharge: A flume
experiment. River Research and Applications, vol. 22.
p. 343-351.
Thompson, D.M.,
2006. The role of vortex shedding in the scour of pools.
Advances in Water Resources, vol.
29, p. 121-129.
Thompson, D.M.,
2005. The history of the use and effectiveness of instream
structures in the
Thompson, D.M.,
2005.
Thompson D.M.,
2005. The long-term stability and morphologic influence of the use of instream structures in channel restoration design. In Managing Watersheds for
Human and Natural Impacts, edited by G.E. Moglen. Proceedings of the 2005 Watershed Management
Conference, p. 1-9.
McBride,
M., W.C. Hession and D.M. Thompson, 2005. Riparian vegetation influence on
channel widths of small streams: Revisiting sleepers river.
In Managing Watersheds
for Human and Natural Impacts, edited by G.E. Moglen. Proceedings of the 2005 Watershed
Management Conference, p. 1-12.
Thompson, D.M.,
2004. The influence of pool length on local turbulence production and energy
slope: A flume experiment. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, vol.
29, p. 1341-1358.
Thompson, D.M.,
2003. Pools and riffles. In Encyclopedia of
Geomorphology, edited by A.S. Goudie, Routledge, vol. 2, 1216 pp.
Thompson, D.M.,
2003. A geomorphic explanation for a meander cutoff following
channel relocation of a coarse-bedded channel. Environmental
Management, vol. 31, p. 385-400.
Thompson, D.M.,
and G.N. Stull†, 2002, The development and
historic use of habitat structures in channel restoration in the
Thompson, D.M.,
2002. Geometric adjustment of pools to changes in slope and discharge: A flume
experiment. Geomorphology, vol. 46, p. 257-265.
Thompson,
D.M. 2002. Channel-bed scour with high versus low
deflectors, ASCE, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, vol. 128, p.
640-643.
Thompson, D.M.,
2002. Long-term effect of instream
habitat-improvement structures on channel morphology along the Blackledge and
Thompson, D.M.,
2001. Random controls on semi-rhythmic spacing of pools and riffles in constriction-dominated rivers. Earth Surface Processes
and Landforms, vol. 26, p. 1195-1212.
Thompson,
D.M., and K.S. Hoffman†, 2001. Equilibrium
pool dimensions and sediment-sorting patterns in coarse-grained,
Wohl, E.E., and D.M.
Thompson, 2000. Velocity characteristics along a small step-pool channel. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms,
vol. 25, p. 353-367.
Thompson,
D.M., E.E. Wohl and R.D. Jarrett, 1999. Velocity reversals and sediment sorting in pools and riffles
controlled by channel constrictions. Geomorphology,
vol. 27, p. 229-241.
Thompson, D.M.,
1999. Book Review: A Paradox of Power: Voices of Warning and Reason in the
Geosciences. American Geophysical Union Transactions, vol. 80, p. 284.
Wohl, E.E., D.M.
Thompson and A.J. Miller, 1999. Canyons with
undulating walls. Geological
Society of
Thompson,
D.M., J.M. Nelson and E.E. Wohl, 1998. Interactions between pool geometry and hydraulics. Water Resources Research, vol. 34, p.
3673-3681.
Thompson,
D.M., and E.E. Wohl, 1998. Flume
experimentation and simulation of bedrock channel processes. In Rivers over Rocks: Fluvial Processes in
Bedrock Channels, edited by K.J. Tinkler and E.E.
Wohl, American Geophysical Union Monograph Series,
vol. 107, p. 279-296.
Thompson,
D.M., E.E. Wohl, and R.D. Jarrett, 1996. A revised velocity-reversal and sediment-sorting model for a high-gradient,
pool-riffle stream. Physical
Geography, vol. 17, p. 142-156.
Wohl, E.E., D.J.
Anthony, S.W. Madsen and D.M. Thompson, 1996. A comparison of surface sampling methods for coarse fluvial
sediments. Water Resource Research,
vol. 32, p. 3219-3226.
Thompson, D.M.,
1995. The effects of large organic debris on sediment
processes and stream morphology in
† Connecticut
College Student co-author
Interests
My wife, daughter, dog
and I enjoy most outdoor activities. I am an avid USCF bicycle racer and
compete for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Cycling Team. We have hiked, camped
and backpacked in more than half of the states in the
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Douglas M. Thompson, Department of Physics, Astronomy and
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