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INSTRUCTORS: 
Yoshihiko Iseri
Kinya Toride
Michael Warner
Afiya Narzis
Md. Mostafa Ali
Qazi Ashique E Mowla
Oscar Cabezas-Nivin
Van-Thanh-Van Nguyen
Xing Fang

Course Length: 1.5 hours

Purpose and Background

This course will only award PDHs for completion.

Technical presentations from the 2024 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress:

Configuration and validation of WRF model for the Columbia River Basin (13 minutes)

This presentation details the process of setting up and validating the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for the Columbia River Basin. It includes configuring the model's domains, initial and boundary conditions, and selecting appropriate physics options. The study emphasizes optimizing these configurations through sensitivity analysis to accurately simulate high-resolution atmospheric data, particularly for storm events like the November 1996 storm. The validated model provides critical data for hydrologic analysis, essential for managing the basin's resources, including its extensive hydropower infrastructure.

Evaluating the Impact of an Upstream Reservoir on Surma-Kushiyara River Flow using a Hydrologic Model in SWAT (14 minutes)

This presentation discusses the use of the SWAT model to simulate river flow changes due to a proposed reservoir on the Surma-Kushiyara River Basin. The study integrates climate data and reservoir characteristics, including evaporation, seepage losses, and precipitation over the reservoir, to simulate post-dam flow under current and projected climate scenarios. Calibration and validation were conducted using historical data from 1998 to 2018 to ensure accurate model representation. The findings highlight the potential impacts of the reservoir on downstream flow patterns under varying climate conditions, with significant implications for flood management and water resource planning.

Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use on Projections of Erosion and Sediment Production in the Jequetepeque River Basin in the Peruvian Andes (15 minutes)

This presentation explores the effects of varying climate and land use scenarios on erosion and sediment yield using the SWAT model. The study evaluated projections from the baseline period (1981-2010) against future periods (2018-2021) under different climate scenarios (SSP 4.5 and SSP 8.5) and land use changes. Key findings indicate significant increases in erosion and sediment production, particularly under the worst-case land use and climate scenarios, with sedimentation rates in reservoirs expected to rise substantially. These changes pose challenges for water resource management, reservoir lifespan, and ecological stability in the region.

Statistical Modeling of Daily Precipitation Process in the Climate Change Context (16 minutes)

This presentation discusses the use of statistical downscaling methods, such as SDSM, to generate high-resolution daily precipitation data. It highlights the challenges of capturing extreme rainfall events due to the limitations in model resolution and the lack of convection representation in many climate models. The study introduces a generalized model to improve predictions of daily precipitation occurrence and amounts, incorporating non-linear relationships between climate predictors and rainfall. The methodology aims to provide more accurate inputs for hydrological impact studies, crucial for engineering applications in urban drainage systems.

Study of Ice Formation/Jam Events on the Missouri River Using HEC-RAS (21 minutes)

This presentation focuses on using the HEC-RAS hydraulic modeling software to simulate and predict ice formation and jam events along a 100-mile stretch of the Missouri River. The study involves the collection and integration of flow, water level, and temperature data from multiple USGS stations, alongside historic and forecast weather data, to model open water, ice, and water temperature conditions. The model incorporates detailed river cross-sections and infrastructure, including 19 bridges, to accurately represent the hydraulic conditions that contribute to ice formation and movement. The simulations provide insights into potential ice jam scenarios, aiding in flood risk management and operational planning for the upstream reservoirs.

Learning outcomes and session benefits

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the process of configuring the WRF model, including domain setup, selection of initial and boundary conditions, and physics options, for accurate atmospheric simulation over the Columbia River Basin.
• Describe the methodology used in the SWAT model to assess the impact of a proposed reservoir on river flow, including data integration and model calibration/validation processes.
• List the potential impacts of increased erosion and sedimentation on reservoir lifespan and water resource management, highlighting the challenges posed by projected climate and land use changes.
• Discuss the limitations of current climate models in representing convective precipitation and the improvements offered by the introduced generalized model for better hydrological impact assessment.
• Identify the key factors contributing to ice formation and jam events on the Missouri River, as modeled using HEC-RAS, including the integration of hydrological and meteorological data.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.

Who Should Attend?

• Water resource engineers
• Environmental engineers
• Consulting engineers
• Utility Engineers
• Hydrologists
• Public Agency Engineers
• Utility Directors

How to Earn your PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth 1.5 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course.