Douglas M. Thompson was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1967. He studied geology and geography at Middlebury College before obtaining his MS and PhD in Earth Resources at Colorado State University. He is a fluvial geomorphologist who studies the landforms and the natural processes that create aquatic habitat in river systems. He is particularly interested in the formation of pools, which are critical for trout and salmon survival. His love of rivers dates back to his youth when he would often sneak off to the local rivers with a fishing rod in hand. He currently lives with his wife and daughter in Gales Ferry, Connecticut.
As a specialist in the physical characteristics of rivers, Thompson provides a unique perspective on the impact of human manipulation of river environments for trout fishing. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on pool and riffle features and one of the leading authorities on the history of river restoration in the United States. He has written more than 30 scientific articles and book chapters, and offered more than 50 scientific presentations. The author won a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation in 1999, the G.K. Gilbert Award for excellence in geomorphic research from the Association of American Geographers in 2000, and was a participant in the Third Annual Chinese-American Frontiers of Science Symposium sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences in 2000. Thompson recently worked with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as a member of the Instream Flow Scientific and Technical Workgroup to help draft legislation to manage all rivers and streams in Connecticut. In 2009, he worked with the Connecticut Fund for the Environment on state legislation to protect vegetated buffer areas along watercourses and wetland areas. In 2010, he worked with the Connecticut Academy of Sciences and Engineering to assess water quality impacts related to highway construction. In 2015 he was voted a Fellow of the Geologic Society of America.
As a specialist in the physical characteristics of rivers, Thompson provides a unique perspective on the impact of human manipulation of river environments for trout fishing. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on pool and riffle features and one of the leading authorities on the history of river restoration in the United States. He has written more than 30 scientific articles and book chapters, and offered more than 50 scientific presentations. The author won a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation in 1999, the G.K. Gilbert Award for excellence in geomorphic research from the Association of American Geographers in 2000, and was a participant in the Third Annual Chinese-American Frontiers of Science Symposium sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences in 2000. Thompson recently worked with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as a member of the Instream Flow Scientific and Technical Workgroup to help draft legislation to manage all rivers and streams in Connecticut. In 2009, he worked with the Connecticut Fund for the Environment on state legislation to protect vegetated buffer areas along watercourses and wetland areas. In 2010, he worked with the Connecticut Academy of Sciences and Engineering to assess water quality impacts related to highway construction. In 2015 he was voted a Fellow of the Geologic Society of America.
Visit: Douglas M. Thompson's faculty profile at Connecticut College
Read: Professor’s new book reveals devastating effects of trout fishing conservation efforts
Read: Douglas Thompson, associate professor of geology, likes to get his feet wet
Read: Voices from the Classroom, Douglas M. Thompson
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