Course content

The course is about modelling of water resources with a special focus on sustainable management of reservoirs, hydropower and regulated rivers. Main topics: Water storage, multipurpose reservoirs, modelling of environmental impacts from hydropower regulations and best practise mitigating measures, environmental design of hydropower operations, hydropeaking and environmental acceptable operations, as well as modelling systems with multiple/competing use of water. Furthermore, the course includes; water consumption and tools for sustainability assessment of hydropower projects, effects of changes in climate and land use, downscaling and use of climate data and simulation of effects of climate and land use changes. The course makes extensive use of digital tools.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The candidate should have an overview of the main challenges facing sustainable water resources management today and the central issues for the future - with a focus on environmental impacts from river regulations, reservoir operation, climate and land use changes. The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of environmental impacts of river regulations and methods to assess and mitigate impacts. Further, the candidate should be familiar with the application of numerical models to simulate issues related to water resources management, and be able to understand and present outcome of such simulations. Finally the candidate should obtain knowledge of the most up to date measures of sustainability used in the assessment of water resources.

Skills: The student should be able to apply a number of common computer tools in assessing impacts on water resources. The student should be able to understand limitations and strengths of modelling approaches and how results should be interpreted and presented.

General knowledge: The course should provide a general overview of the current state of water resources and the challenges faced today and in the future. Knowledge of the methods used to assess the water resources and anthropogenic impacts on water.

Learning methods and activities

A series of lectures and seminars covering central topics in the course will be given. A series of exercises to illustrate how various models can be used in water resources management. 11 exercises and a half-day excursion will be planned.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge on hydropower systems and basic hydrology is recommended.

Course materials

Selected articles and book chapters.