What problems can you solve with groundwater analysis using QGIS?
- Why is a nature reserve drying up even though the amount of precipitation has barely changed?
- Which residential areas are at risk of foundation damage due to falling groundwater levels?
- Where is the best place for rainwater to infiltrate to combat drought?
- Which areas are prone to groundwater flooding?
- How do soil and geology influence the movement of groundwater?
During this Blended Learning course, you’ll learn how to analyze these issues and support your findings using QGIS. You’ll combine open geodata, groundwater measurements, soil data, and digital elevation models to gain insight into the causes of groundwater problems. You will then translate these analyses into evidence-based recommendations, appropriate measures, and an effective set of measures for water management, nature conservation, climate adaptation, and spatial planning.
The Theory Behind Groundwater Systems
A thorough groundwater analysis begins with an understanding of how the subsurface water system functions. You’ll learn how precipitation infiltrates the soil, how groundwater moves through different soil layers, and the roles that aquifers, soil structure, and geology play in these processes.
You’ll also be introduced to key hydrogeological processes such as groundwater recharge, seepage, percolation, and groundwater flow. By understanding these processes, you will not only be able to interpret analysis results but also analyze them from a hydrological perspective, weigh different potential solutions, and translate them into reliable analyses, well-founded recommendations, and appropriate measures.
Working with open data and groundwater data
A reliable groundwater analysis starts with the right data. That’s why you’ll work with up-to-date open datasets that are widely used by water authorities, provinces, municipalities, drinking water companies, and consulting firms. You’ll become familiar with, among other things, the Basic Subsurface Registry (BRO), DINO-loket, REGIS II, AHN, soil maps, and groundwater monitoring data.
You’ll learn how these data sources complement each other and how different datasets are combined to form a single, comprehensive picture of the groundwater system. In addition, you’ll discover which data source is best suited for specific groundwater issues and how different datasets reinforce one another to perform reliable analyses of the current situation, simulate climate scenarios, and support decision-making.
Analyzing Groundwater in QGIS
After covering the theoretical basics, you’ll get hands-on experience in QGIS. You’ll learn to visualize, analyze, and combine groundwater data with soil, elevation, and land-use information to reveal spatial patterns and the causes of groundwater problems.
You’ll perform analyses of groundwater levels, infiltration areas, seepage areas, and discharge areas, and map the spatial variation of the groundwater system. In addition, you’ll learn how to use raster and vector analyses to analyze groundwater-related issues, compare different measures and scenarios, and make informed decisions. The goal of the analysis is not only to identify groundwater problems but also to support decision-making and justify the most effective measures.
From Analysis to Informed Advice
During the Blended Learning program, you’ll work with realistic real-world examples and open datasets. You’ll step into the role of a hydrological consultant and tackle issues similar to those encountered by water authorities, drinking water companies, provinces, municipalities, and consulting firms. You’ll analyze the available data, evaluate potential measures, compare different solution scenarios, and justify which set of measures best suits the situation.
You’ll work on assignments such as:
- A water authority wants to know why a nature reserve is drying up. Analyze the causes and justify possible measures.
- A municipality is investigating which residential neighborhoods are at risk of foundation damage due to falling groundwater levels and what measures can mitigate this risk.
- Determine, on behalf of a municipality, which locations are most suitable for infiltration measures to combat drought.
- Analyze for a province where groundwater flooding might occur after prolonged rainfall and identify measures to mitigate this risk.
- Combine soil, geological, and groundwater data to explain groundwater flows and assess future developments.
- For a consulting firm, draft a well-reasoned recommendation for sustainable groundwater management, including a map of promising measures and an appropriate set of measures.
Upon completion, you will have the practical skills to independently analyze groundwater systems, substantiate groundwater-related issues, and translate spatial analyses into concrete recommendations, appropriate measures, and well-founded decision-making for water management, nature conservation, climate adaptation, and spatial planning.
