Sustainable Practices - Water
Degrees and Classes
Lane has two degree programs that train students for jobs in the fields of water conservation and protection.
Students enrolled in one of these two programs have priority in taking water classes at Lane, but often enrollment is open to students not in the programs.
Course descriptions are below, see the class schedule or college catalog for current information.
WATR 101 Intro to Water Resources
This course provides a sociological perspective of topics including history and perception; water use; basic hydrology, water stressors at multiple scales; stormwater, wastewater and drinking water; water quality appropriate to use; water supply and demand management as well as emerging issues.
WATR 102 Water Careers Exploration
The course provides an introduction to water conservation and watershed technician fields, examining water issues from personal to global contexts. The class will define water as a critical concern of society at all levels. Students will investigate employment opportunities related to water through readings, documentaries, lectures and guest speakers.
WATR 105 Water Conservation: Residential
This course focuses on strategies to increase water conservation and efficiency at the residential level using proven water conservation strategies. The course covers program development, water use, waste, auditing, efficiency measures and incentives as well as fixtures and appliances. Students participate in hands-on activities.
WATR 107 Water Conservation: Outdoor
This course focuses on conservation at the residential outdoor level including water use & waste; efficiency measures; and landscape issues such as planning and design, irrigation systems, soils, mulch and maintenance. Theoretical work will be enhanced by hands-on outdoor learning.
WATR 208 Water Conservation: Agricultural
Course provides an overview of water efficiency in irrigated agriculture. Topics include water use, waste, efficiency, conservation, auditing, measurement, soil moisture monitoring and irrigation,laser leveling and other emerging technologies. The class includes field trips and hands-on experiences.
WATR 210 Water Conservation: Industrial, Commercial
Course focuses on retrofitting to increase wise water use. Emphasis of the class will be water use, waste, efficiency and auditing for Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) sites. Topics include metering, sanitation, process water use, and heating and cooling systems. Concept of Industrial Ecology introduced.
WATR 215 Integrated Water Resources Management
Prerequisite: SUST 101 and WATR 101 This class examines a wide range of water uses and water issues in multiple settings and at various scales using global, regional and local case studies. Emphasis will be on the interaction between various resource uses and the effects of conservation measures.
WATR 220 Water Conservation Program Development
This capstone class explores the design, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of water efficiency plans and programs. Emphasis is on creating formal water conservation plans. Students learn how to make the business case for efficiency and how wise water use supports sustainability.
WATR 221 Water Mechanical Systems
Prerequisite: WATR 210. Course provides an overview of mechanical systems that use or re-circulate water in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Topics include: efficient use of water and energy, appropriate technology theories and practices, rules and regulations, systems analysis techniques and emerging technologies.
WATR 222 Stormwater Best Management Practices
Students gain a working knowledge of best management practices for stormwater management. We will explore non-mechanical treatments from constructed wetlands to swales to green roofs. Topics will include site analysis, flow management, and phyto-remediation. Labs include field trips, field work and guest lecturers.
WATR 261 Regional Water Policy
Explores policy, regulation, rights and law pertaining to the Pacific Northwest bioregion. Additional topics include national and international code trends, case studies illustrating conflict management techniques and the role of economic incentives in encouraging efficient resource use.
WST 205 Soils Field Methods
Basic principles of experimental design, site and instrument selection for field research to study soil and slope physical and biological characteristics. Basic tools and data acquisition techniques are used in a variety of field settings. Field exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 221 Invasive Species Field Methods
Students will increase their understanding of industry expectations while developing job search tools and skills. Students will learn and practice presenting themselves to employers in a competent and professional manner in preparation for a cooperative education internship and, ultimately, a professional career.
WST 222 Threatened and Endangered Species Field Methods
Practical field experience in monitoring the status of threatened and endangered species and assessing strategies to mitigate their loss. Field research exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 223 Prairies to Woodlands Field Methods
Practical field experience in collecting data on the condition of prairies, savannas, woodlands, and forests. Emphasis is on species of concern including endangered, keystone, invasive, and indicator species. Field exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 224 Wetland Field Methods
Practical field experience in monitoring biological, chemical and physical properties of wetlands. Includes plant communities and microbiology. Introduction to hydraulics and treatment efficiencies. Field exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 225 Riparian Field Methods
Prerequisite: ENVS 183 or instructor consent. Introduction to basic skills needed to determine the functional status of riparian systems. Vegetation identification. Habitat assessment of stream-side plants, animals and macro-invertebrates. Field exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 226 In-Stream Field Methods
Prerequisite: ENVS 183 or instructor consent. Introduction to protocols and procedures used in streams to measure stream and channel attributes, aquatic ecology and water quality. Emphasizes where, when and how to sample stream ecosystems. Field exercises on evenings and/or weekends combined with self-paced online learning.
WST 230 Watersheds and Hydrology
Physical hydrology of watersheds including the water cycle, water budgets, water yields and peak flows. Effects of surface erosion, stream temperatures, nutrient levels and human activities upon watershed health.
WST 234 Watershed Best Practices
Capstone experience applying sustainable approaches to watershed restoration and management to improve and maintain water integrity. Students combine watershed field skills and conceptual knowledge with emphasis on integrated, multidisciplinary methods and best practices.