What kinds of problems do you learn to solve in the Basic Water Management course?
- Why does flooding occur in one location while drought occurs in another?
- How do groundwater, surface water, soil, land use, and climate influence one another within a water system?
- What data do you need to reliably analyze hydrological issues?
- How do you translate hydrological analyses into well-founded recommendations and appropriate measures?
- How do you combine open data, satellite information, and GIS to create a comprehensive picture of a water system?
During this Blended Learning course, you’ll learn how to systematically analyze and substantiate entire water systems using QGIS, open data, and satellite information. You’ll discover how different hydrological processes influence one another and how to translate these interrelationships into reliable analyses, well-founded recommendations, and appropriate measures for water management, climate adaptation, and spatial planning.
The Theory Behind Water Systems
A good system analysis begins with an understanding of how the entire water system functions. You’ll learn how precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater, surface water, and runoff are interconnected, and how soil, geology, elevation, and land use influence the availability and movement of water.
You’ll also be introduced to hydrological concepts such as watersheds, watershed divides, water balances, and the interrelationships between different components of the water system. By understanding these processes, you will not only be able to conduct hydrological analyses but also interpret them, weigh different potential solutions, and translate them into well-founded recommendations.
Working with Open Data and Satellite Information
A reliable water 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, consulting firms, and research institutions. You’ll be introduced to digital elevation models (DEMs), AHN, Copernicus, satellite imagery, land-use data, basic hydrological data, and other open data sources.
You’ll learn how different datasets complement each other and are combined to form a complete picture of a water system. You’ll also discover which data source is best suited for various hydrological issues and how satellite information can be used to monitor changes in vegetation, soil moisture, and water availability.
Analyzing Water Systems in QGIS
After covering the theoretical basics, you’ll get hands-on experience working in QGIS. You’ll learn to combine and analyze open geodata to visualize water systems spatially and gain a better understanding of hydrological processes.
You’ll perform analyses of, among other things, watersheds, drainage, flow directions, river networks, and upstream watersheds. You’ll also be introduced to techniques such as Strahler Stream Order and Headwater Catchments to analyze hydrological processes more accurately. You’ll also learn how to perform recurring analyses more efficiently using the QGIS Processing Toolbox, Processing Scripts, and Model Builder, so that hydrological workflows are reproducible and easy to apply.
From Analysis to Evidence-Based 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 water consultant and tackle issues similar to those encountered by water authorities, provinces, municipalities, drinking water companies, and consulting firms. You’ll analyze the available data, map out the interconnections within the water system, and justify which measures are best suited to the situation.
You’ll work on assignments such as:
- Analyze why both flooding and drought occur in a given area and explain the interrelationships within the water system.
- Map the relationship between groundwater, surface water, soil, and land use, and assess the consequences for the water system.
- Determine which open datasets are needed to reliably analyze a hydrological issue.
- Analyze watersheds, drainage, and upstream influences to identify the causes of hydrological bottlenecks.
- Assess which measures contribute to sustainable water management, climate adaptation, and a future-proof water system.
- Develop a well-founded water management recommendation for a consulting firm, including maps, analyses, and promising measures.
Upon completion, you will have the practical skills to independently analyze entire water systems, comprehensively assess hydrological issues, and translate spatial analyses into concrete recommendations and appropriate measures for water management, climate adaptation, and spatial planning.
