Computational Watershed Hydrology - CE54900
This course is designed to train students in performing watershed scale hydrologic analysis and simulations using real observations, geospatial data and computational tools. This course is intended for senior level undergraduate students and graduate students who already have some knowledge of basic hydraulics or fluid mechanics and hydrologic processes. Most classes are designed in the form of self-learning exercises using ArcGIS, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and SWAT. Some Python programming may also me covered towards the end of the course. Students are expected to have some computer proficiency in using computers and software applications.
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Venkatesh Merwade
Phone: (765) 494-2176
Email: vmerwade@purdue.edu
Office: CIVL 1101G
Web: Instructor Homepage
Learning Objective: By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Obtain, process and analyze hydrologic data
- Develop commonly used hydrologic and hydraulic models (HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWAT [optional]) for simulating hydrologic processes for flood modeling and inundation mapping
- Use geospatial tools for hydrologic applications
- Present and communicate results effectively using ArcGIS mapping tools
Topics Covered:
| Week | Lab |
|---|---|
| 1 | Module 1 - Handling of point observations and time series data in hydrology |
| 2 | Module 2 - Handling of raster Data (topography and land use) in Hydrology |
| 3 | Module 3 - Using Spatial Interpolation Tools in ArcGIS |
| 4 | Module 4 - Terrain analysis using Digital Elevation Model |
| 5 | Module 5 - Terrain Analysis using ArcHydro Tools |
| 6 | Module 6 - Development of CN grid using land use and topography |
| 7 | Exam 1 |
| 8 | Module 7 - Development of HEC-HMS model |
| 9 | Module 8 - SWAT Modeling or Machine Learning |
| 10 | Module 9 - HEC RAS Modeling |
| 11 | Exam 2 |
| 12 | Project Work |
| 13 | Project Work |
| 14 | Thanksgiving Break |
| 15 | Project work |
| 16 | Exam 3/Project Work |
Web Address: https://purdue.brightspace.com
Projects: There will be one major class project which will involve the use of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS and one minor project of your choice that show the use of skills you learned in class to address a practical water related issue.
Exams: Three exams
Textbooks: No text is required for this course. All reading material will be provided by the instructor.
Computer Requirements: We will be using the following software/applications in this class: ArcGIS Pro (3.1), HEC-HMS 4.10 or higher, HEC-RAS 6.x or higher, QGIS 3.34.7 (optional), and QSWAT 3 v1.7.2 (optional). If you are using an older version (2.x) of ArcGIS Pro, tutorials and videos using this version are available on Brightspace. You will need windows operating system to install all software and complete all exercises without any technical issues. Mac OS may work, but you will have to do extra work to get all the software installed and run smoothly. Instructor does not have expertise in installing software or fixing software issues.