Introduction to hydrology, hydraulics and flood risk management

An ideal course for those involved in river, tidal and coastal flood risk it introduces related aspects such as flood risk measures, natural flood management, sustainable urban drainage, scheme assessments, and climate change. The course focus is more towards river and urban flooding, whilst also introducing the key principles and considerations for tidal and coastal flooding.

Sustainable flood and coastal risk 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; fluvial tidal interactions; and the influence of waves, surge and extreme water levels. The development of appropriate flood risk 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.

It introduces the concepts of flood risk analysis and management within the context of existing UK policies and legislation. Current techniques in considering climate change and joint probability are presented in outline, as is the latest guidance on producing flood risk assessments. The course focus is more towards river and urban flooding, whilst also introducing the key principles and considerations for tidal and coastal flooding.

• Hydrometric analysis.
• Estimation of flood flows.
• Fluvial hydraulics.
• Flow resistance and roughness.
• Conveyance.
• River flow processes
• Hydraulic structures.
• Coastal processes.
• Flood sources.
• Flood modelling, mapping and related software.
• Assessing flood risk for schemes.
• Climate change.
• Joint probability.
• Flood mitigation: structural and non-structural measures.
• Flood Risk Assessments.
• Sustainable urban drainage

Those involved in flood risk 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.

Early Bird Registration: £1900.00 per delegate* (excluding VAT); by 15 January 2026

Registration: £2100.00 per delegate* (excluding VAT)

The course fee includes; course materials, refreshments and lunch on all four days plus a group meal on the Wednesday evening.

(* discounts available for multiple bookings)