Peter Downs

Teaching interests

Programme Coordinator:
M.Sc./M.Res. Sustainable Environmental Management

Module Leader:     
EAR5111 - Integrated River Basin Management

GGP302 - Applied Catchment Sediment Dynamics

Contributions to:
GG2138 - Fluvial Environments

EOE3109 - Geohazards

EAR5107 - Sustainability: Issues and Debates

GGX301 - Exploring Enterprise

EAR5101 - Research Methods (M.Sc. fieldtrip convenor)

GGX2100 - Ireland Fieldtrip (Year 2)

GGX3156 - Work-based learning (tutor) 

Research interests

Overarching Theme

Basic, applicable, and applied research in geomorphology and environmental science that contributes towards sustainable and equitable approaches to integrated river basin management 

Example interests

Disentangling natural from human influences in river channel morphodynamics

Distributed sediment budgets as an indicator of cause-and-effect based catchment change

Potential impacts of climate fluctuations on river channel changes

Habitat impacts of river flow and morphology changes in urban environments

River channel sensitivity as a risk-based approach to river management

Use of targeted biophysical impacts in river management and engineering

River restoration: baseline assessment, design, and the improvement of future practice through monitoring and evaluation 

The role of ecosystem services in river basin management and planning

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

As primary or secondary supervisor:

Anna Wood 2001 ‘A Geomorphological Analysis of Bank Toe Processes: the fate of failed blocks in the basal zone of incised channels’

Philip Soar 2000 ‘Channel Restoration Design for Meandering Rivers’

Kevin Skinner 1999 ‘Geomorphological post-project appraisal of river rehabilitation schemes in England’

Grants & contracts

At Plymouth University

Seale-Hayne Educational Trust, 2011-12, Coarse sediment dynamics of rivers rising on Dartmoor National Park: implications for conservation and rural land management (≈£12,000)

At Stillwater Sciences

California Department of Fish and Game, 2009-10, Watershed Geomorphic Assessment and River Bains Plan: Santa Rosa Creek, San Luis Opispo County, CA (≈$250,000)

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works / US Army Corps of Engineers, 2009-10, Watershed Geomorphic Processes and Sediment Yield Assessment: Upper Santa Clara River, Los Angeles County, CA (≈$300,000)

Association of Bay Area Governments, 2008-10, Watershed Sediment Budget: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, CA (≈$145,000)

California Department of Fish and Game, 2006-08, Watershed Geomorphic Processes and Channel Stability Assessment: Santa Paula Creek, Ventura County, CA (≈$200,000)
 
California Coastal Conservancy, 2004-07, Watershed Geomorphic Processes and Channel Morphodynamics Response Assessment: Lower Santa Clara River, Ventura County, CA (≈$200,000)

Marin County Department of Public Works, 2006-07, Watershed Sediment Delivery Assessment: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, CA (≈$125,000)

California Bay-Delta Authority - Ecosystem Restoration Program, 2003-07, Baseline Physical and Biological Monitoring and Restoration Design Development: Lower Merced River, Merced County, CA (≈$2,500,000)

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (National Parks Service), 2003-04, Process-based Historical Sediment Budgets: Redwood Creek, Marin County, CA (≈$150,000)

California Bay-Delta Authority - Environmental Water Program, 2002-05, Flow Acquisition Planning for Adaptive Management-based Ecosystem Restoration: Central Valley, CA (≈$600,000)

At University of Nottingham

Otago Regional Council, New Zealand, 1999, Watershed Geomorphic Processes Assessment and Rehabilitation Planning: Water of Leith, Otago, New Zealand (£ nominal)

Environment Agency, Midlands Region, 1994-2000, Restoration Design Development and Post-project Monitoring: River Idle, Nottinghamshire (£15,000)

University of Louisville, Kentucky, 2000, Geomorphological Appraisal of River Restoration Schemes ($30,700)

US Department of Agriculture, National Sedimentation Laboratory, 1998-2000, Geomorphology of Bank Stability Processes in Incised Channels and Related Management Issues, with A. Simon and S.J. Bennett ($42,600)

National Rivers Authority/ Environment Agency, 1995-98, Geomorphological and Hydraulic Impacts of Environmentally Aligned Flood Defence Measures, with C.R. Thorne (£15,800)

National Rivers Authority, 1996, Geomorphological Approaches to River Management: Research & Development Project 661, with C.R. Thorne, M.J. Clark, D.A. Sear and M.D. Newson (£25,800)

University of Nottingham New Lecturer Research Grant, 1993-96, Spatial Variability in River Channel Adjustments: Drainage Basin Characteristics and Morphological Criteria (£9,300)

Publications
Book

Downs, P.W. and Gregory, K.J. (2004) River Channel Management: towards sustainable catchment hydrosystems, London, Arnold, 395pp.

Selected articles, chapters, conference proceedings

Downs, P.W., Singer, M.S., Orr, B.K., Diggory, Z.E. and Church, T.C. (2011) Restoring ecological integrity in  highly reguklated rivers: the role of baseline data and analytical references, Environmental Management, doi: 10.1007/s00267-011-9736-y

Downs, P.W. and Booth, D.B. (2011), Geomorphology in environmental management, in Gregory, K.J., and Goudie, A. (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology, Sage Publications, London: 78-104

Cui, Y., Dusterhoff, S.R., Wooster, J.K. and Downs, P.W. (2011) Practical considerations for modeling sediment transport dynamics in rivers, in Simon, A., Bennett, S.J. and Castro, J. (eds.) Stream Restoration in Dynamic Systems: scientific approahces, analyses, and tools, AGU Geophysical Monograph 194, American Geophysical Union, Washington DC.
 
Downs, P.W., Cui, Y., Wooster, J.K., Dusterhoff, S.R., Booth, D.B., Dietrich, W.E. and Sklar, L. (2009) Managing reservoir sediment release in dam removal projects: an approach informed by physical and numerical modelling of non-cohesive sediment. International Journal of River Basin Management, 7, 433-452.

Gregory, K.J. and Downs, P.W. (2008) The sustainability of restored rivers: catchment-scale perspectives on long-term response, in Darby, S.E. and Sear, D.A. (eds.) River Restoration: managing the uncertainty in restoring physical habitat, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp.253-286.

Gregory, K.J., Benito, G. and Downs, P.W. (2008) Applying fluvial geomorphology to river channel management: background for progress towards a palaeohydrology protocol, Geomorphology, 98, 153-172.
 
Caruso, B.S. and Downs, P.W. (2007) Rehabilitation and flood management planning in a steep, boulder-bedded stream, Environmental Management, 40, 256-271.
  
Downs, P.W. and Priestnall, G. (2003) Modelling fluvial geomorphological processes at the catchment-scale, in Kondolf, G.M. and Piegay, H. (eds.) Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp.203-228.

Downs, P.W. and Kondolf, G.M. (2002) Post-project appraisals in adaptive management of river channel restoration, Environmental Management, 29, 477-496.
 
Downs, P.W., Skinner, K.S. and Kondolf, G.M. (2002) Rivers and streams, in Davy, A.J. and Perrow, M.R. (eds.) Handbook of Ecological Restoration, volume 2: restoration in practice, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp.267-296.
 
Downs, P.W. (2001) Geomorphological evaluation of river restoration schemes: principles, method, monitoring, assessment, evaluation. Progress?, in Nijland, H.J. and Cals, M.J.R. (eds.) River Restoration in Europe: practical approaches, Lelystad, The Netherlands, Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment / RIZA, pp.243-249.

Downs, P.W. and Simon, A. (2001) Fluvial geomorphological analysis of the recruitment of large woody debris in Yalobusha river network, central Mississippi, USA, Geomorphology, 37, 65-91.
 
Wood, A.L., Simon, A., Downs, P.W., and Thorne, C.R. (2001) ‘Bank-Toe Processes in Incised channels: The Contribution of Apparent Cohesion in Impeding Removal of Failed Cohesive Blocks’, Hydrological Processes, 15, 39-61.
 
Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. (2000) Rehabilitation of a lowland river: reconciling flood defence with habitat diversity and geomorphological sustainability, Journal of Environmental Management, 58, 249-268.
 
Downs, P.W. and Priestnall, G. (1999) System design for catchment-scale approaches to studying river channel adjustments using a GIS, International Journal of Geographical Information Systems 13, 3, 247-266.

Downs, P.W., Skinner, K.S. and Soar, P.J. (1999) ‘Muddy Waters: issues in assessing the impact of in-stream structures for river restoration’, in Rutherford, I. and Bartley, R. (eds.) Second Australian Stream Management Conference: the challenge of rehabilitating Australia’s streams, Adelaide, February 1999, pp.211-217.

Brookes, A., Downs, P.W. and Skinner, K.S. (1998) Uncertainty in the engineering of wildlife habitats, Journal of the Institution of Water and Environmental Management, 12, 25-29.

Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. (1998) ‘Design principles and suitability testing for rehabilitation in a flood defence channel: the River Idle, Nottinghamshire, U.K.’, Aquatic Conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems, 8, 17-38.
 
Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. (1998) ‘Planning for rehabilitation in a flood defence channel: the River Idle, UK’, in Hansen H.O. and Madsen, B.L. (eds.) River Restoration ’96 – session lectures proceedings, Silkeborg, Denmark, National Environmental Research Institute, pp.96-103.

Downs, P.W., Skinner, K.S. and Brookes, A. (1997) ‘Developing geomorphic post project appraisals for environmentally-aligned river channel management’, in Water for a Changing Global Community, IAHR XXVII Congress, New York, ASCE, pp.430-435.
 
Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. (1997) ‘River rehabilitation measures for a lowland channel with flood defense requirements: River Idle, UK’, in Water for a Changing Global Community, IAHR XXVII Congress, New York, ASCE, pp.436-441.
 
Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. (1996) The utility and justification of river reconnaissance surveys, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 21, 3, 455-468.
 
Kondolf, M. and Downs, P.W. (1996) Catchment approach to channel restoration, in Brookes, A. and Shields, F.D. Jr. River Restoration: guiding principles for sustainable projects, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp.129-148.

Priestnall, G. and Downs, P.W. (1996) Automated parameter estimation for catchment-scale river channel studies: the benefits of raster-vector integration, in Kovar, K. and Nachtnebel, H.P. (eds.) Application of Geographical Information Systems in Hydrology and Water Resources Management, IAHS publication 135, Wallingford, International Association of Hydrological Sciences, pp.215-223.

Downs, P.W. (1995) River channel adjustment sensitivity to drainage basin characteristics: implications for channel management in South-East England, in McGregor, D.M. and Thompson, D.A. (eds.) Geomorphology and Land Management in a Changing Environment, Chichester, Wiley, pp.247-264.

Downs, P.W. (1995) River channel classification for channel management purposes, in Gurnell, A.M. and Petts, G.E. (eds.) Changing River Channels, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp.347-365.

Downs, P.W. (1995) Estimating the probability of river channel adjustment, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 20, 687-705.

Downs, P.W. and Gregory, K.J. (1995) The sensitivity of river channels to adjustment, The Professional Geographer, 47, 168-175.
 
Simon, A. and Downs, P.W. (1995) An interdisciplinary approach to evaluation of potential instability in alluvial channels. Geomorphology, 12, 3, 215-232.
 
Downs, P.W. (1994) Characterization of river channel adjustments in the Thames basin, South-East England, Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 9, 151-175.

Downs, P.W. and Gregory, K.J. (1994) Sensitivity analysis and river conservation sites: a drainage basin approach, in O’Halloran, D., Green, C., Harley, M., Stanley, M. and Knill, J. (eds) Geological and Landscape Conservation, London, Geological Society, pp139-143.

Downs, P.W, and Brookes, A. (1994) Developing a standard geomorphological approach for the appraisal of river projects, Kirby, C. and White, W.R. (eds.) Integrated River Basin Development, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp299-310.
 
Downs, P.W. and Gregory, K.J. (1993) The Sensitivity of River Channels in the Landscape System, in Thomas, D.S.G. and Allison, R.J. (eds.), Landscape Sensitivity, Chichester, J. Wiley & Sons, pp15-30.
 
Gregory, K.J., Davis, R.J. and Downs, P.W. (1992) Identification of River Channel Change due to Urbanisation, Applied Geography, 12, 299-318.
 
Downs, P.W., Gregory, K.J. and Brookes, A. (1991) How Integrated is River Basin Management?, Environmental Management, 15, 299-309.

Reports & invited lectures

Reports

Stillwater Sciences (2009) Lower Redwood Creek Restoration at Muir Beach: Geomorphic and Habitat Assessment Monitoring Framework, prepared by Singer, M.S. and Downs, P.W. for Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, September 2009, 32pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2008) Sespe Creek Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Sedimentation Analysis: Watershed Assessment of Hillslope and River Geomorphic Processes: draft, prepared by Leverich, G.T., Booth, D.B., Dusterhoff, S.R., and Downs, P.W. for Ventura County Watershed Protection District, August 2008, 66pp. & figures and appendices.

Stillwater Sciences (2008). Environmental Water Program Pilot Flow Augmentation Project: Draft Full Proposal For Lower Clear Creek, prepared by Downs, P.W., Lassettre, N.S., and Singer M.S. for Environmental Water Program, California Bay-Delta Authority, Ecosystem Restoration Program, Sacramento, CA, March 2008 , 70pp. & figures and appendices.

Stillwater Sciences (2008) Upper Penitencia Creek Sediment Source Assessment, prepared by Lassettre, N.S., Bowers, R.A. and Downs, P.W. for Santa Clara County Urban Runoff Pollution Protection Program, February 2008, 17pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State University (2007) Physical Modeling Experiments to Guide River Restoration Projects: Dam Removal Restoration Manual, prepared by Downs, P.W., Cui, Y., Wooster, J.K., Dusterhoff, S.R., Booth, D.B., Dietrich, W.E. and Sklar, L.S. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, December 2007, 35pp.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2007) Santa Paula Creek Watershed Planning Project: Geomorphology and Channel Stability Assessment, prepared by Booth, D.B., Dusterhoff, S.R., and Downs, P.W. for California Department of Fish and Game, November 2007, 53pp. & figures and appendices.

Stillwater Sciences (2007) Santa Clara River Parkway Floodplain Restoration Feasibility Study: Assessment of Geomorphic Processes for the Santa Clara Watershed, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, prepared by Downs, P.W., Dusterhoff, S.R., Riebe, C.S. Leverich, G.K. and Sears, W.A. for California Coastal Conservancy, August 2007, 152pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2007) Middle Lagunitas Creek Watershed Sediment Delivery Assessment, prepared by Downs, P.W., Dusterhoff, S.R., and Bowers, R.A. for Department of Public Works, Marin County, California, May 2007, 53pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2006) Merced River Ranch Channel-Floodplain Restoration: Design Rationale, prepared by, Downs, P.W., Riebe, C.S., Dusterhoff, S.R., and Cosio, T.N. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, July 2006, 59pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2006) Merced River Ranch Channel-Floodplain Restoration: Post-Implementation Monitoring Plan, prepared by, Singer, M.S., Downs, P.W., Cosio, T.N., Diggory, Z.E., and Osterback, A.-M.K. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, July 2006, 72pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2006) Baseline Monitoring of the Merced River Dredger Tailings Reach, prepared by, Singer, M.S., Cosio, T.N., Downs, P.W., Dusterhoff, S.R., and Osterback, A.-M.K. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, January 2006, 125pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2005) Conceptual Restoration Design for the Merced River Ranch, volume I: conceptual design report, prepared by, Downs, P.W., Diggory, Z.E., Cosio, T.N., Singer, M.S., Cui, Y., Percival, A.L. & Orr, B.K. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, September 2005, 141pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2005) Santa Clara River Parkway Floodplain Restoration Feasibility Study: Assessment of Geomorphic Processes, prepared by Downs, P.W., Dusterhoff, S.R., Riebe, C.S. & Sears, W.A. for California Coastal Commission, August 2005, 100pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2005) Environmental Water Program Pilot Flow Augmentation Project: concept proposal for flow acquisition on Lower Deer Creek, prepared by Downs, P.W., Parton, M.J., Bass, P.F. Sloat, M.R. & Lassettre, N.S. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Water Program, January 2005, 50pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2004) Environmental Water Program Pilot Flow Augmentation Project: concept proposal for flow acquisition on Lower Clear Creek, prepared by Downs, P.W., Parton, M.J., Mason, M. C., Zajanc, D., & Fainter, M.R. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Water Program, August 2004, 57pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2004) Mercury Assessment of the Merced River Dredger Tailings Reach, prepared by, Singer, M.S., Hume, N.P., Downs, P.W., Diggory, Z.E. & Cosio, T.N. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, October 2004, 48pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2004) Sediment Transport Model of the Merced River Dredger Tailings Reach, prepared by Cui, Y.T., Downs, P.W., Diggory, Z.E. & Cosio for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, May 2004, 33pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2004) Channel and Floodplain Surveys of the Merced River Dredger Tailings Reach, prepared by Dusterhoff, S.R., Jaquette, C.J., Downs, P.W., Diggory, Z.E. & Cosio for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Restoration Program, October 2004, 23pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2004) Sediment Budget for Redwood Creek Watershed, Marin County, California, prepared by Downs, P.W., Stallman, J.D., Braudrick, C.A. & Falzone, A.C. for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, February 2004, 66pp. & figures and appendices.
 
Stillwater Sciences (2003) Environmental Water Program: restoring ecosystem processes through geomorphic high flow prescriptions, prepared by Downs, P.W., Braudrick, C.A., & Sklar, L.S. for California Bay-Delta Authority Environmental Water Program, August 2004, 57pp. & figures and appendices.
 
PWA Ltd. (2002) Identification of physical constraints, in URS Corporation (ed) Preliminary Findings Regarding Alternative Site Locations prepared by Thomas, M.S., Borgonovo, A. and Downs, P.W. for the City of Roseville Retention Basin, to City of Roseville, Roseville, January 2002, chapter 22pp. & appendices.
 
PWA Ltd. (2001) Laguna De Santa Rosa Feasibility Study: Progress Report, prepared by Downs, P.W., Bozkurt, E.S., Thomas, M.S. for USACE San Francisco District and Sonoma County Water Agency, June 2001, 14pp. & appendices.
 
PWA Ltd. (2001) Upper Penitencia Creek Reconnaissance Level Sediment Assessment: existing conditions summary, prepared by Richardson, W.R.R., Downs, P.W., Bozkurt, E.S. and Andrews, E. for USACE San Francisco District, July 2001, 28pp.
 
PWA Ltd. (2001) Laguna De Santa Rosa Feasibility Study: Geomorphic Assessment, prepared by Downs, P.W., Bozkurt, E.S. and Thomas, M.S. for USACE San Francisco District and Sonoma County Water Agency, September 2001, 76pp.
 
PWA Ltd. (2001) Drainage/water quality, in Mills Associates (ed) Hidden Oaks (Tract #8438) Environmental Impact Report, prepared by Downs, P.W., Haas, J. and Thomas, M.S. for City of Lafayette Community Development Department, Lafayette, October 2001, chapter 31pp. & appendices.
 
PWA Ltd. (2001) Stone Valley Creek Channel Stability Assessment, prepared by Downs, P.W., Bozkurt, E.S. and Haltiner, J.P. for Alamo Highlands LLC / J.S. French Construction, November 2001, 23pp.
 
Downs, P.W. (1999) Water of Leith 3 Streamscapes project: assessment of fluvial geomorphology and discussion of rehabilitation opportunities, prepared for Otago Regional Council, March 1999, 32pp. & appendices.

Downs, P.W. and Simon, A. (1999) The implications of large woody debris recruitment in he Yalobusha catchment: a summary of research in progress, prepared for US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District Office, 29pp.

Environment Agency (1999) Rivers Teign and Bovey Diversion: geomorphological dynamics assessment of the existing river channels prepared by Downs, P.W., Richardson, W.R.R. and Soar, P.J. for E.A. South-west Region, January 1999, 17pp & appendices.
 
HR Wallingford Ltd. (1999) Thames Water Abingdon Reservoir Proposal Land Drainage Studies: Fluvial Geomorphology of the Ock Catchment – final report volume 1 prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R., Bromley, J.C., Darby, S.E. and Sear, D.A. for HR Wallingford Ltd, May 1999, 53pp.

Environment Agency (1998), River Geomorphology: a practical guide, National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal Guidance Note 18, prepared by Thorne, C.R., Downs, P.W., Newson, M.D., Clark, M.J. and Sear, D.A., London, Environment Agency.

HR Wallingford Ltd. (1998) Thames Water Abingdon Reservoir Proposal Land Drainage Studies: fluvial geomorphology prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R., Bromley, J.C., Darby, S.E. and Sear, D.A. for HR Wallingford Ltd, April 1998, 60pp & 3 supporting volumes.

Environment Agency (1998) Rivers Teign and Bovey Diversion: geomorphological assessment of the physical habitat sustainability in the diversion design prepared by Downs, P.W., Richardson, W.R.R., Soar, P.J., Thorne, C.R. and Skinner, K.S. for E.A. South-west Region, June 1998, 25pp & appendices.

Environment Agency (1998) Rivers Teign and Bovey Diversion: geomorphological assessment of the physical habitat sustainability in the diversion design – supplementary calculations prepared by Downs, P.W., Richardson, W.R.R. and Soar, P.J. for E.A. South-west Region, June 1998, 11pp.
 
Environment Agency (1997) Geomorphological Approaches to River Management, R&D project record W5A/i661/1, prepared by Thorne, C.R., Downs, P.W., Newson, M.D., Clark, M.J., and Sear, D.A. Environment Agency, Bristol, 197pp.
 
Environment Agency (1997) River Geomorphology: a practical guide, R&D Publication, prepared by Thorne, C.R., Downs, P.W., Newson, M.D., Clark, M.J., and Sear, D.A. Environment Agency, Bristol.

Environment Agency (1997) Geomorphological Approaches to River Management, R&D Technical Report W89, prepared by Thorne, C.R., Downs, P.W., Newson, M.D., Clark, M.J., and Sear, D.A. Environment Agency, Bristol, 12pp.

HR Wallingford Ltd. (1997) River Brue Restoration Project Geomorphological Report, prepared by Thorne, C.R. and Downs, P.W. for HR Wallingford Ltd, March 1997, 13pp.
 
HR Wallingford Ltd. (1997) River Teign and Bovey Fluvial Audit, prepared by Thorne, C.R., Soar, P.J., Skinner, K.S. and Downs, P.W. for HR Wallingford Ltd, March 1997.
 
Environment Agency (1997) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - consultation report for Phase Two - North of Lound to Mattersey, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R. and Skinner, K.S. for E.A. Midlands Region, May 1997, 38pp & appendices.
 
Environment Agency (1997) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - North of Lound to Mattersey - survey and drawings for reaches 6G and 6H, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R., Bromley, J.C. and Horton, J.K. E.A. Midlands Region, May 1997, 40pp.
 
Environment Agency (1997) Fluvial Audit of the Upper Severn - a study of three river diversions #6138 prepared by Downs, P.W., Wood, A.L. and Thorne, C.R. for E.A. Midlands Region, October 1997, 51pp.
 
HR Wallingford Ltd. (1996) Monks’ Brook Geomorphological Report, prepared by Downs, P.W. and Thorne, C.R. for HR Wallingford Ltd, February 1996, 16pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1996) Geomorphological Post Project Appraisal of the River Ash Flood Alleviation Scheme, prepared by Skinner, K.S. and Downs, P.W. for N.R.A. Thames Region, March 1996, 34pp & appendices.
 
National Rivers Authority (1996) Geomorphological Post Project Appraisal of the River Blackwater Diversion Scheme, prepared by Skinner, K.S. and Downs, P.W. for N.R.A. Thames Region, March 1996, 23pp & appendices.

National Rivers Authority (1995) Geomorphological Post-Project Appraisal of the Kitswell Brook, prepared by Downs, P.W. for N.R.A. Thames Region, March 1995, 24pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1995) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - consultation report, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R. and Wheeler, S.N. for N.R.A. Severn-Trent Region, January 1995, 50pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1995) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - theory and design of rehabilitation measures, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R. and Robinson, J.L. for N.R.A. Severn-Trent Region, May 1995, 41pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1995) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - location of rehabilitation measures, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R. and Robinson, J.L. for N.R.A. Severn-Trent Region, May 1995, 8pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1995) Proposals for Rehabilitation Measures on the River Idle - East Retford to Bawtry - testing of rehabilitation measures, prepared by Downs, P.W., Thorne, C.R. and Robinson, J.L. for N.R.A. Severn-Trent Region, December 1995, 72pp.
 
National Rivers Authority (1994) River Bollin Geomorphological Evaluation in the region of the proposed Manchester Airport Second Airport: Technical Report, prepared by Downs, P.W. for N.R.A. North-West Region, March 1994, 13pp.

National Rivers Authority (1994) River Bollin Geomorphological Evaluation in the region of the proposed Manchester Airport Second Airport: Proof of Evidence, prepared by Downs, P.W. for N.R.A. North-West Region, March 1994, 13pp & appendices.
 
National Rivers Authority (1993) Kitswell Brook Erosion Mitigation report, prepared by Downs, P.W. for NRA Thames Region, August 1993.
 
Downs, P.W. (1992) Channel classification and sensitivity in 5 basins in the Thames region, in National Rivers Authority River Channel Typology for Catchment and River Management, prepared for GeoData Institute, Southampton University, for NRA Thames Region, pp.33-40.

National Rivers Authority (1990) Lower River Colne Catchment Morphological Surveys, prepared by Downs, P.W. for NRA Thames Region, November 1990.


Invited Lectures

Perspectives on Twenty-first century river management and restoration, St. Marys College, Moraga, California, April 2009.

River Parkway Planning in the Lower Santa Clara River, California: implications of hydrogeomorphic condition for river restoration and flood control, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, March 2009.

Perspectives on river channel management in the Twenty-first century, invited presentation, Symposium on Integrating Knowledge for Sustaining Rivers, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, October 2008.

Perspectives on river channel management in the Twenty-first century with examples from California, School of Planning and Management, Universidade Católica de Brasília, February 2008.

Channel morphodynamic response to human activities and natural influences in the lower Santa Clara River, Ventura County, California,  School of Geography, University of Nottingham, October 2007.
 
Restoration without reference: rehabilitating a dredged and regulated river-floodplain in the Merced River of California, Dept. Environmental Sciences, University of California Merced, February 2007.

Outside the bankfull realm: challenges in developing a flood-based management strategy for a large, semi-arid river system: Santa Clara River, Ventura County, California, Bren School, University of California Santa Barbara, January 2007.
 
Geomorphic hazards and assets for floodplain restoration planning for the lower Santa Clara River, Guerrilla Science series, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, September 2006.
 
Sediment budgets as the basis for restoration planning in non-equilibrium environments, Redwood Creek, Marin County, California, Dept. Geology, University of California Davis, March 2005.

Linking habitat dynamics to biology: a perspective on river restoration in northern California, Stanford University, November 2004.
 
Improving river restoration using Post-Project Appraisals: UK examples, to the Portuguese Instituto da Áqua, conference: ‘Conservação e Recuperação de Sistemas Fluvais Abordagem nos Planos de Bacia Hidrográfica e Novas Perspectivas de Gestão’, Lisbon, Portugal, August 1999.

Rehabilitation in multi-functional river channels, Dept. Geography, University of Otago, New Zealand, March 1999.

Muddy Waters: issues in assessing prompted recovery for river restoration, Dept. Geosciences, University of Wollongong, Australia, February 1999.

A Clear Benefit? Geomorphological Evaluation of River Restoration Schemes, Dept. Geography, University of Loughborough, December 1999.
 
Restoration as the new river management? Rehabilitating the River Idle, Notts., Dept. Geography, Nene College, December 1998.

Restoration as the new river management? Rehabilitating the River Idle, Notts., Dept. Geography, University of Cambridge, March 1998.

Progress in river rehabilitation in the UK, Phillip Williams & Associates Ltd, San Francisco, USA, April 1997.
 
Application of channel classification to river management in the UK, Applied Geomorphology shortcourse, University of California Berkeley, April 11th 1997.
 
Rehabilitation of the River Idle, Notts.: river restoration as the new river management?, Dept. Geography, University of Bristol, January 1997.

Geomorphology in Integrated Basin Management: hydrogeomorphological assessment in channel management planning, Dept. Geography, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, March 1993.