Derek Godwin

Watershed Management

503-510-7582
[email protected]

Expertise: Water management and conservation

Department/Unit: Biological and Ecological Engineering

Biography

Derek is an Extension statewide Watershed Management faculty in the Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering. He is a Professor and has been working for OSU's Extension Service since 1994 in both program and administration positions. He specializes in education and research related to minimizing impacts of urban and agriculture land use practices on surface water quality, such as the implementation of green infrastructure, low-impact development, riparian enhancement and stream restoration practices. He works with watershed councils, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, land managers and policy makers to use a holistic watershed approach to address ecosystem concerns while maintaining economic stability. Derek earned a Master’s of Science degree in Bioresource Engineering at Oregon State University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Forest Management and Wildlife at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

Content by Derek Godwin

Infiltration Testing: Low-impact development fact sheet

One of the first steps in siting a low-impact development facility is infiltration testing. Infiltration tests estimate the rate at which runoff will infiltrate, or pass through, native soil. An infiltration test, ...

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin | Aug 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Stormwater Planters: Low-impact development fact sheet

Stormwater planters are like rain gardens: They capture runoff and filter out sediment and pollutants. Unlike rain gardens, stormwater planters are contained in structures made of wood, stone, brick, or concrete. You...

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | Jul 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Rain Gardens: Low-impact development fact sheet

A rain garden doesn't "grow" rain, but it does provide an attractive, effective way to manage runoff. Learn what it takes to make your own rain garden.

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | Jun 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Soakage Trenches: Low-impact development fact sheet

Soakage trenches are a space-saving way to manage runoff while preserving aesthetics at a site, but developers should plan for significant costs to build and maintain them. Learn more about how to use soakage trenches as part of the low-impact development toolbox.

Derek Godwin, Maria Cahill, Jenna Tilt | Jun 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Porous Pavement: Low-impact development fact sheet

Porous pavement allows runoff to move through the surface and into the soil beneath, reducing the volume of stormwater. Learn about porous asphalt, pervious concrete, permeable pavers and flexible paving systems and ...

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | Jun 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Water-Quality Swales: Low-impact development fact sheet

A water-quality swale is like a rain garden in motion: It treats runoff while simultaneously moving it from one place to another. Water-quality swales are channeled depressions planted with trees, shrubs and grasses...

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | Jun 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Vegetated Filter Strips: Low-impact development fact sheet

Vegetated filter strips are a stormwater management system designed to slow the speed of runoff, filter pollutants, and collect sediment. Learn design considerations and planting options for these low-maintenance, relatively inexpensive filtering facilities.

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | Jun 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Vegetated Roofs: Low-impact development fact sheet

Growing a garden on your roof is an attractive alternative building method, but there's a lot to know before you start hauling soil to the top floor. Learn how vegetated roofs, also known as "green" roofs, can play an elevated role in the low-impact development landscape.

Maria Cahill, Derek Godwin, Jenna Tilt | May 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Drywells: Low-impact development fact sheet

A drywell is a vertical, underground system that receives runoff via buried pipes. Learn when and how to use a drywell to help manage stormwater in the low-impact landscape.

Derek Godwin, Maria Cahill, Jenna Tilt | May 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Buying Time: Instream Restoration

In "Buying Time: Instream Restoration", viewers explore the critical role streams play in our watersheds and see what landowners from the coast range to the high deserts are doing to help improve Oregon's precious streams.

Steve Johnson, Jack Sleeper, Rob Drummond, Brett Hodgson, Don Wagner, Jennifer Noonan, Derek Godwin | Jan 2011 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Life on the Edge: Improving Riparian Function

Whether it's along a coastal or a desert stream, the riparian area plays a pivotal role in the health of our watersheds. In "Life on the Edge", viewers discover what that means.

Derek Godwin, John Wilson | Jan 2011 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Rain gardens help keep pollutants out of waterways

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces has been routed directly to streams through stormwater pipes and ditches with little infiltration or treatment.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 9, 2023 | News story

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