Michael C. Tilston
60 Park Avenue, Apt. 307
Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y9
Canada
MikeTilston@hotmail.com
http://www.miketilston.com
Tel: (905) 877-2659
Fax: 1-866-707-6704
CURRICULUM VITAE - 2006
Career Interests
My scientific interests are primarily in (1) fluvial geomorphology and its analysis,
measurement and management, and (2) the application of GIS and numerical modelling
to environmental problems, particularly related to watersheds and waterways. I am
interested in research, consulting and instructing others in these areas.
Although the bulk of my experience has focussed on river engineering, I am broadly
interested in the processes operating in the natural environment, and in how they are
affected by human activities.
Education
 MSc. Géographie, Université de Montréal, Canada, 2005. Thesis was entitled
"Three-dimensional flow structure, turbulence and bank erosion in a 180° meander
loop" (see my website).
 BSc. Environmental Geography, Concordia University, Canada, 2002. (Graduated
Honours with great distinction.)
Relevant University Courses
Graduate:
Environmental Modelling (McGill University)
Private Study: Turbulence (Concordia University, Dr. Pascale Biron)
River engineering (McGill University)
Undergraduate:
Hydrogeology (Concordia University, Dr. Dan Walker)
Advanced GIS (Concordia University, Dr. Pascale Biron)
Forrest Management (Concordia University, Dr. David Greene)
Environmental Management (Concordia University)
University Research Experience
 2002 to 2005 – Masters Project
o Data collection: bed topography and three-dimensional velocity
measurements using a total station, an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter
(ADV), and a Acoustic Doppler Profiler (PC-ADP).
o Data analysis: Evaluation of the performance of the ADP against the
ADV, appraisal of the different techniques of estimating bed shear stress,
prediction of bend evolution using ArcGIS 8.2, and evaluation the
effectiveness of bank stabilization techniques.
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 05/2001 to 08/2001 – Masters Project preparation
o Scouting for a suitable field site and preparing it (installing permanent
benchmarks and water level loggers) for masters project.
 05/2000 to 08/2000 - Research assistant for Dr. P. Biron
o Data collection: bed topography and three-dimensional velocity
measurements using a total station and an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter
(ADV). The velocity data was subsequently analyzed and the Reynolds
shear stress and turbulent kinetic energy variables were extracted and
presented using ArcView 3.2.
 01/2000 to 04/2000 - Research assistant for Dr. P. Thornton
o Examining historical archives and collecting data on Canadian immigrants
in Rhode Island at the turn of the century.
River or GIS Related Work Experience
 2005-present – Parish Geomorphic Ltd., Georgetown, Ontario
 Tasks: Channel design, flow measurements and prediction, GIS processing,
consulting reports.
 09/2002 to 12/2002 - Teaching assistant for Dr. P. Biron at Concordia University.
Tasks: Aiding graduate students with the use of ArcGIS in a graduate level
GIS/environmental class (ENVS 598).
 01/2002 to 04/2002 - Teaching assistant for Dr. P. Biron at Concordia University.
Tasks: Aiding students with the use of ArcGIS in an advanced GIS course
(GEOG463).
 09/2001 to 12-2001 - Teaching assistant for Luc de Montigny at Concordia
University. Tasks: Data verification and aiding students with the use of ArcGIS in
an urban studies class (URBS 333).
 09/2001 to 12/2001 - Teaching assistant for Dr. P. Biron at Concordia University.
Tasks: Aiding graduate students with the use of ArcGIS in a graduate level
GIS/environmental class (ENVS 598).
 05/2000 to 09/2000 - Research assistant for Dr. P. Biron at Concordia University.
Tasks: Data collection and manipulation for honours project.
 12/1999 to 05/2000 - Research assistant for Dr. P. Thornton at Concordia
University. Tasks: Collection and organization of data from historical archives.
Other Work Experience
 Summer 2000-2004 – Funded research and teaching assistantships described
above.
 Summer 1999 – TIL-TEK Antennas, Kemptville, Ontario. Conducted
electromagnetic modelling of reflectarray and parabolic reflector antennas with
the MBC moment method computer program, optimized the designs and wrote
reports of results. Supervised by Mark Tilston, VP Research.
 Summer 1998 –TIL-TEK Antennas, Kemptville, Ontario. Wrote user help files
for primary TIL-TEK antenna modelling software used by the R&D group using
MS HTML Help Authoring Kit, MS Frontpage, DesignCAD, and various antenna
software including MBC moment method program, in order to create example
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antenna problems for the documentation. Created a technical application note for
customers on the effects of mounting an antenna near a lightning rod, using the
MBC moment method program and NECBSC diffraction program to do the
electromagnetic modelling. Supervised by Mark Tilston, VP Research.
Summer 1997 – TIL-TEK Antennas. Compiled an extensive list of antenna
specifications on MS Excel including measured patterns for all available
configurations of TIL-TEK antennas; wrote macros in Excel using Visual Basic
for Applications to search for antennas matching desired characteristics,
automatically generating data sheets including plotted radiation patterns, and
generating antenna data files in various formats required by customers.
Supervised by Mark Tilston, VP Research.
Summer 1996 – Jim Henson Productions, London, UK. Compiled a large
database of Henson library and contracts on MS Excel. Supervised by Cathy
Laughton, Sales Manager.
Awards
 09/2002 to 12/2004 - FCAR graduate scholarship recipient ($30000) while
attending Université de Montréal.
 09/2001 – Geography award ($250) while attending Concordia University.
 05/2001 to 08/2001 - NSERC undergraduate award recipient ($4000) while
attending Concordia University.
 02/2000 – Concordia Bursary ($1000) while attending Concordia University.
Memberships
 05/2004 to present – Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG).
 12/2000 to present – Golden Key Society.
References:
Dr. Pascale M. Biron
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montréal, Québec,
H3G 1M8, Canada (514-848-2424 ext. 2061)
(biron@alcor.concordia.ca)
Dr. Patricia Thornton
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montréal, Québec,
H3G 1M8, Canada (514-848-2424 ext. 2056)
(thorpat@vax2.concordia.ca)
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Some Details on Contributions to Research/Development
A) Refereed Contributions
1. "The early stages of meander development in a dredged agricultural river:
identifying zones of potential bank erosion” Proceedings: New England – St.
Lawrence Valley Geographical Society. Volume 31, 102-120.
Abstract: Many agricultural rivers have been dredged and linearized to gain agricultural
land. These rivers, if not maintained, eventually migrate back to their original
meandering pattern, eroding their banks. The purpose of this study is to examine the
three-dimensional flow properties of an artificially linearized agricultural river, and
locate the areas along the banks displaying a high potential for erosion. In stream threedimensional velocity measurements were taken using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter,
from which the Reynolds shear stress (downstream cross-stream plane) and the turbulent
kinetic energy variables were extracted and used to assess erosion potential. Results
show that while the river developed a sinuous flow pattern with a distinct riffle-pool
sequence and well-sorted sediments since the time of dredging, the spacing between
successive pools is unusually short (three times the channel width), indicating that the
study reach is still in a highly dynamic state. The position of the highest values of the
Reynolds shear stress shifted from the left bank in the first two surveys to the right bank
in the last survey. Therefore, potential areas of bank erosion are likely to change rapidly
in the next few years, creating difficulties for identifying zones where bank protection
will be needed.
B) Non-refereed Contributions
2. CAG 2004 – Oral Presentation for the Canadian Association of Geographers
"Three-dimensional flow structure and bank stabilization in river bends"
Abstract: River bends are highly dynamic systems where bank stabilization measures are
often implemented to prevent channel migration. Yet predicting the location of bank
retreat is difficult due to irregular bend shapes, secondary flow structures and turbulence,
which produce spatial and temporal variations in shear stress. The objectives of this
research project are to 1) describe the three-dimensional flow structure in a river bend
and its effects on bank failure, and 2) to examine the effects of stabilization on the river’s
bed and bank topography.
The study bend is on the Petite Barbue River (Québec) where bank stabilization measures
were implemented in 2003. Three-dimensional velocity measurements were taken using
an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) and an Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP), which
samples at multiple points simultaneously. The three-dimensional mean and turbulent
flow structure is examined at different cross-sections for different flow stages. Changes
in bed and bank topography were monitored for a period of 3 years prior to stabilization
and 1 year after its implementation. Results indicate that secondary current strength, the
location of the high velocity core and turbulence intensities are strongest at the bend
entrance and exit. This suggests that bank erosion is most likely to occur in these areas,
where local radii of curvature are at a minimum. These findings are further supported by
measured changes in bed topography prior to stabilization and field observations of
where failure occurred.
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3. NESTVAL 2001 – Oral Presentation for the New England and St. Lawrence
Geographical society.
"The early stages of meander development in a dredged agricultural river: identifying
zones of potential bank erosion"
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the three-dimensional flow properties
of an artificially linearized agricultural river, and locate the areas along the banks
displaying a high potential for erosion.
In stream three-dimensional velocity
measurements were taken on three separate surveying dates using an Acoustic Doppler
Velocimeter (ADV), from which the Reynolds shear stress (downstream cross-stream
plane) and the turbulent kinetic energy variables are extracted and used to asses erosion
potential. Results show that while the river developed a sinuous flow pattern with a
distinct riffle-pool sequence and well-sorted sediments since the time of dredging, the
spacing between successive pools is unusually short (three times the channel width),
indicating that the study reach is still in a highly dynamic state. It was found that the
highest values of the Reynolds shear stress along the two banks was fairly similar on the
first two field dates, whereas the turbulent kinetic energy values were markedly higher
along the left bank. By the time of the third surveying date, the maximum values for both
the Reynolds shear stress and turbulent kinetic energy were located next to the right bank.
Moreover, while the maximum Reynolds shear stress and turbulent kinetic energy along
the right bank were spatially stable over the course of this study, the maximal values
along the right bank appear to display a trend of downstream migration.
C) Contributions from Participation in Relevant R&D Activities
4. As a result of the research I performed for my master’s thesis, I was able to
determine the relative erosion rates along a river bend for the placement of bank
stabilization.
5. As a result of the research I performed for my honour’s thesis, I was able to aid
Nature Action with the placement of bank stabilization.
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