Debris flow and flash floods: risk, vulnerability, hazard and resilience concepts

Description of debris flow phenomenon and basic concepts are presented. Description and definition of flash flood assessment. This course transport to the student to new concepts on flood phenomena produces by debris or water. The student learns mathematical models adapted to both phenomena, learn how to apply different rheology. Learn to create flood (debris or water) risk maps from simple and complex models.

• Debris Flow theories, triggering variables, rheology, mathematical modelling
• Debris Flow modelling aspects, 0D, 1D and 2D numerical models. Delimitation of occurrence zones and run-off. Shalstab, Triggs, Sinmap, FLATModel (Gits-2d Model), GITS1D
• Flash Flood modelling and analysis. Simplified methods
• The socio economic aspects at the Maresme Basins, usually basins with high level of risk and FF events
• Translation of hydraulic models output variables into hazard
• Spatial Planning. Structural risk analysis, bridges, streets, abutments, other elements in rivers, Scouring
• Translation of Drought models output variables into hazard
• Translation of Debris Flow models output variables into hazard
• Translation of coastal models output variables into hazard
• Methodologies to evaluate vulneranbility as a quantitative values
• Application of uncertainty to risk assessment
• Methodologies to evaluate uncertainity  as a quantitative values
• Construction of Hazard Maps from DF & FF. Using GIS and different models (Hydraulic and Debris kinds)
• Residual risk evaluation
• Optimal design of structural measures. Economic appraisal of flood risk mitigation projects

Fluvial Morphodynamics

The principal objective of the present course is to introduce the student to new phenomena as river dynamics. The students learn how to evaluate the principal sediment transport characteristics models. The students learn and apply concepts threshold of motion, dynamic stability, and flow regimen, local and general scour. Incidendence in bridge scour and bank stability.

• The river, Sediment characteristics, Grain size distribution
• Characteristics of a river, The energy equation
• Flow resistance equations, Manning, law profile karman hypotesis, Keulegan equation, Mannig striclke
• Momentum equation, the bed stress. The hydraulic jump
• Back water curves. The step method for back water curves, excel application
• Hec Ras. How to use Hec Ras, modelling a river
• Shields diagram. Bed and bank stability
• QGIS and GisWater for Hec Ras. Planning a model
• Advanced flow resistance Bed form flow resistance. Vegetation flow resistance
• Type of sediment transport. Dynamic equilibrum. Sediment transport formulations
• Sediment transport examples with excel
• Erosion, sedimentation process and 1D morphodynamics. The Exner equation. Examples
• Local scour at bridge piers and abutments, local scour at contractions
• Other structures. Spur dikes, Sills, Odgaard vanes, Scour control systems
• Diversion and union of Rivers. The patia River, The Dique channel
• Bank erosion and bend scour
• A complete model. Qgis, Hec Ras and morphodynamic analysis

Coastal flooding: impacts, conflicts and risks

Introduction. Coastal zone. Estuarine areas. Dynamics and risks. Evaluation of environmental impacts in the marine environment. Environmental control at the costal zone. River flooding risks. Precipitation, floods and river mouth discharges. Erosion and flooding risks at the coastal fringe. Pollution risks. Sources, dispersion and evolution. Vulnerability, resilience and risk. Operational models and services. Risk management.

• Presentation. Impacts, conflicts and risks
• Coastal risks due to climatic variability
• Impacts on Coastal Zones
• Practical assessment of risk and impact: a case study
• The coastal zone. Estuarine areas. Dynamics and risks
• Flooding and discharges at the river mouth
• Precipitation and flooding
• Sources and decay of pollutants
• Marine flooding and erosion risk
• Wave evolution and wave forecasting
• Risk forecasting. Operational models
• Dispersion and evolution of pollutants
• Risk assessment. Vulnerability and resilience

Implications of global warming on floods and droughts

Description of global warming and the hydrological consequences into a river basin is presented to the student; river flows and water resources. Assess the effect of climate change due to green effect mechanism. Change in water resources and river flows over time and finally changes in water quality. A short introduction of drought assessment and management affected by the global warming effect is studied. Hydrological and meteorological droughts assess. Study of climate generators its utilities and difficulties

• Global warming and the impact on river flows and water resources
• What is Climate Change? The green house effect, climate change and the hydrological processes
• The green house effect, climate change and the hydrological processes in Flood, FF and DF forecasting
• Changes in water resources, Changes in Flow regimes, implications of water management
• Global Warming and Hydrological Uncertainity
• River flood management
• Evaluation of Meteorological Drought
• Evaluation of hydrologic drought
• Drought in water management
• Parametric and no parametric climate generators

The application of radar-based rainfall observations and forecast in Early Warning Systems and Flood Forecasting

Motivation talks with emphasis on the radar data processing in order to highlight the necessity of an accurate correction of intrinsic measurement errors (beam blocking, ground clutters, attenuation…). Also, the methods for the interpolation of rainfall at the ground from the radar data volume will be described. In general, limitations of radar QPE will be exposed, as well as the advantages in the hydrological application, particularly in Flash Floods at medium-small basins. Some examples and case studies to illustrate the application to hydrological forecast will be presented, as well as the description of the current software and tools for the flood risk management. Demos and didactic interactive software (student-oriented) will be used in the practical session.

• Principles of quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) using radar data. Associated errors and correction methods Introduction to the principles of quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) using the radar data: procedures, chain correction of errors and Z-R application in order to assess the rainfall estimation
• Hydrological applications of radar QPE Derived products for water management.  Short term Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) based on radar data. Applications in real time and historical series reanalysis
• Hydrological forecasting system based on QPE and QPF. Introduction to principles and processes of hydrological modelling based on radar QPE. Distributed modelling: limitations and applicability. Use of QPF: improvement of hydrological forecasts, case studies in Catalonia. Application to real time modelling
• Fieldtrips, visit to hydrometeorological and civil protection agencies Get acquainted with some hydraulic engineering and water management aspects in North West Netherlands such as locks, pumping stations, navigation systems, flood protection

Didactics

Formal lectures; classroom exercises; home assignments; exercises & workshops in computer lab, exams