LAWI002392 From monitoring to modelling of alpine rivers

Type
course with continuous assessment
Semester hours
3
Lecturer (assistant)
Schwarz, Sabrina , Rindler, Rolf , Shire-Peterlechner, Dorian Arthur
Organisation
Hydraulic Engineering and River Research
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

Explore the full toolbox of river monitoring methods and the datasets they generate. This course introduces techniques for collecting, processing, and interpreting hydrological, hydraulic, geomorphological, and sediment-related data in alpine river environments. Students will learn how to select appropriate monitoring methods for different river settings and modelling objectives, and how to assess the data requirements of hydrodynamic numerical models.

Using state-of-the-art datasets, drone imagery, LiDAR data, field measurements, and solid theoretical foundations, students will integrate monitoring data into a numerical modelling workflow. The course guides them through the process of building, running, and validating a numerical model of an alpine river to simulate flow dynamics and sediment transport for research and river management applications.
Previous knowledge expected

none
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

use 3D CAD Software;

*3D design a functional measurement device for river research (sieve tower, perforated frame, etc.) and other gadgets relevant for everyday use (mounting devices and clips etc.);

* identify and explain the fundamental requirements for developing hydrodynamic numerical models of rivers;
select appropriate measurement devices and monitoring strategies for different alpine river types, river settings, and research or management questions; assess which hydrological, hydraulic, geomorphological, and sediment-related datasets are required for model setup, calibration, and validation; collect relevant field data themselves or professionally plan and commission data collection; process drone imagery, LiDAR datasets, hydraulic measurements, and sediment data for numerical modelling applications; integrate hydrological, hydraulic, and sediment-related datasets into a numerical modelling workflow; build, parameterise, and run a hydrodynamic numerical model of an alpine river; simulate flow dynamics and sediment transport processes for research and river management purposes; critically interpret model results and validate them using suitable observational datasets; recognise and evaluate uncertainties in measurements, model assumptions, and simulation results.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.