TRACK 2, DAY 2
Building the River from the Ground Up: A Contractor’s Perspective on River Channel Construction
Abhinava Kidambi, QM Environmental
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Hall F
ABSTRACT
Delivering a functional, naturalized river system requires more than good design: it demands close collaboration between designers and builders. Drawing from the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure Project in Toronto, this presentation offers the contractor’s perspective on bringing a new river channel to life within a highly engineered urban landscape.
Key insights include how “design surface gaps” between models and field conditions were addressed through adaptive grading and geomatics-driven verification, ensuring the channel’s hydraulic and ecological intent was maintained. The presentation will also unpack the intricacies of crib wall construction – critical for defining channel curvature and stability – and the role of fabric-encapsulated soil (FES) lifts in balancing structural integrity with vegetative restoration.
Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how proactive communication, construction sequencing, and precision field control turn complex designs into resilient, living infrastructure. This session encourages discussion between engineers, landscape architects, and contractors on how to bridge design and delivery for future stream restoration projects.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Abhinava Kidambi, QM Environmental
Bio coming soon.