Dr. Leif Burge

Education

PhD, McGill University
MSc, University of Calgary
BSc, University of Victoria
Dip. General Studies, Kwantlen College

Biography

My interests center on the Earth’s surface processes and environment. I have a solid background in these fields. I completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in physical geography at the University of Toronto, a PhD in fluvial geomorphology at McGill University, a Master of Science in fluvial geomorphology at the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor of Science in physical geography at the University of Victoria.   My career has taken me from coast to coast with a stop in central Canada.  When not conducting research or teaching I enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and canoeing.

Teaching interests

I enjoy teaching science and my goal is for students to have a better understanding of how the physical world around them works. I believe in hands on learning. Students gain knowledge through lectures but also laboratory assignments. Field schools are also important, allowing students to learn various techniques and apply them in the real world. The world is a big, complicated place. Courses in Geography and Earth and Environmental Science explain how the world works.

Geography 111 – Physical geography I
Geography 121- Physical geography II
Earth and Environmental Science 111 – Earth and Environmental Science
Earth and Environmental Science 121 - Natural History of the Earth
Geography 298 – Directed Studies
Geography 398 – Directed Studies

Research Interests

Fluvial geomorphology, Ecohydraulics, Anabranching Rivers, Urban Rivers, Fish Habitat, Sediment Transport, Long Profile and Valley Evolution, Floodplain Sedimentology, Channel Bifurcation

My research interests focus on understanding river systems and applying science to improve river stability and fish habitat. I have conducted research on a number of problems in fluvial geomorphology, including researching the processes that form multiple channels in important Atlantic Salmon rivers and investigating why rivers in urban areas experience severe erosion. Research into these problems is ongoing. I am particularly interested in how channel bifurcations remain stable over time and the link between the structure of long profiles and channel stability. Dr. Norman Corbett and I formed the Okanagan College Data Analysis Group (OCDAG) to apply mathematical methods to relevant scientific problems. One project that we have started investigates the structure of long profiles in steep mountain streams, while another project is looking at the effect of channel straightening on Mission Creek. Understanding the processes that regulate river systems, and the links between these processes and river stability and fish habitat, is increasingly important due to continuing pressure from dams, the forestry industry, climate change, and urbanization.

Selected Publications

Shugar, D., Kostaschuk, R., Ashmore, P., Desloges, D., and Burge, L.M., 2007, In-situ Jet-Testing of the Erosional Resistance of Cohesive Streambeds, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.

Burge, L.M., 2006, Wandering river island head diffluences (bifurcations): morphology and surface grain size patterns, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 31 10, pp. 1211-1226

Burge, L.M., 2005, Wandering Miramichi rivers, New Brunswick. Canada, Geomorphology. 69, pp. 253-274.

Burge, L.M. and Lapointe, M.F., 2005, Understanding the temporal dynamics of the wandering Renous River, New Brunswick, Canada. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 30 10, pp. 1227-1250

Burge, L.M., 2004, Testing links between river patterns and in-channel characteristics using MRPP and ANOVA. Geomorphology. 63 3-4, pp. 115-130.

Henry, K.A., Burge, L.M. and Nguyen, D., 2003, Testing differences between point patterns using GIS and bootstrapping. In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 2669. Springer-Verlag Heidelberg. pp. 33-42.

Burge, L.M. and Smith, D.G., 1999, Confined meandering river eddy accretions: sedimentology, channel geometry and depositional processes. In: N.D. Smith and J. Rogers (Editors), Fluvial Sedimentology VI, Special Publication of the International Association of Sedimentologists. 28. Blackwell Science. pp. 113-130.

Unpublished Reports

Burge, L.M., 2000, Assessment of side-channel habitat and fish community structure, Little Southwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick. A progress report for the Atlantic Salmon Federation. 13 pp.

Book Reviews

Burge, L.M., 2007, Review of “Geomorphology and River Management: Applications of the River Styles Framework by Gary J. Brierley and Kirstie A”. The Canadian Geographer, Vol. 51 Issue 1 pp. 109–110

Contact

Dr. Leif Burge
Geography & Earth and Environmental Science
Okanagan College
1000 KLO road
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8
Currently on leave but can be contacted via email
Email: lburge@okanagan.bc.ca