Introduction to river hydrology and hydraulics

Sustainable catchment management relies on a robust understanding of: rainfall-runoff and hydraulic processes; how variability in catchment characteristics can influence rates and volumes of runoff; the relationship between flow and water level at any location. The development of appropriate catchment management solutions is also dependent on the ability to correctly evaluate the impact of different options.

This introductory course guides participants through the fundamental science and the most up-to-date supporting tools. It demonstrates content and relevance through a series of worked examples.

• Hydrometric analysis.
• Estimation of flood flows.
• Introduction to fluvial hydraulics.
• Flow resistance and roughness.
• Conveyance.
• River flow processes.
• River structures.

Those involved in river and catchment management including recent graduates, consultants, local authority staff, conservation and fisheries officers, development control and flood defence officers. Some background knowledge in hydrology or hydraulics, or education to degree level in geography, civil engineering or environmental science would be helpful.

At the end of the course participants will:

• Have developed a knowledge of hydrometric data, why it is needed, what to collect and how to process it; 
• Know how to construct a rating curve from river level and flow data;
• Be aware of the different methods for estimating flood peaks, and know where and when to use them;
• Have developed a knowledge of basic open channel flow principles; understand how water levels are calculated from flows and know what affects water levels at low and high flows;
• Be familiar with the concept of conveyance and with different methods to compute it;
• Understand river processes relating to morphology and sediments;
• Be aware of different types of river structures and their function.