Fieldtrip and Fieldwork WSE (WSE/09/c)

A general knowledge about water management, hydraulic engineering, hydrology and water and environment

• Have a multidisciplinary overview of actual technical, research and organizational activities in the field of water management, hydraulic engineering, hydrology and the aquatic environment.
• To be able to report detailed technical information received succinctly.
• To be able to select and apply different, appropriate field instrumentation and measurement methods in practice and organise the measurement.
• To be able to critically analyse field results, and identify/recognise possible areas of error or uncertainty.
• To be able to integrate quantitative measurements with qualitative terrain observations and prior information to evaluate and analyse the relevant predominant processes in a study area.
• Be able to apply this assimilation of data to engineering considerations.
• To be capable of presenting, reporting and discussing an overview of the results, findings and recommendations.

Fieldtrip  (Various staff UNESCO-IHE)

One or two week study tour in Europe (H. Bijnsdorp)(specializations HWR, HERBD, HECEPD, HELWD)
Visits to organizations and institutions active in hydraulic engineering and/or hydrology, for instance contractors, consultancy offices, governmental institutions, research laboratories, water resources and hydraulic engineering projects in development and operation.
The students take part in the compilation of a full report presenting an account of each visit. After completion, each student receives a printed copy of the report.
Depending on the number of participants of the specializations within the Water Engineering Department, the fieldtrip will be multidisciplinary with the aim of integrating specializations within the department and enabling a holistic view of Water Engineering.  
In general countries in the “Schengen”agreement will be visited for easy trans-border travel.
Travel is by coach and the accommodation is hotel (shared rooms) with breakfast.

Two week study tour in Florida, USA (B. Bhattacharya) (specialisation HI)
Exposure tour with "on site" expalnation of hydrological, hydraulic and environmental projects , particularly the Everglades Comprehensive Restoration project. Specific supplements to the taught part of the programme are the visits to projects with implemented Hydroinformatics components, or various centres involved in Hydroinformatics research.

Fieldwork  (Various staff UNESCO-IHE):

HWR specialization: (J.W. Foppen, J.C. Nonner, J. Wenninger)
Two week fieldwork in southeast France focuses on integrating field observations of geology, geomorphology and physiography with surface and subsurface water data collection. Training in field instruments and measurement techniques is an integral part of the activities. ICT facilities for field data processing are provided. Small groups of students work partly under supervision but also carry out independent field assignments. At the end, each group will prepare a fieldwork report

HERBD specialization: (L. Beevers, M. Werner)
The course focuses on developing field observation/measurement skills and integrating this with engineering knowledge.  Measurements, observation, assimilation and critical analysis will be of key importance.  Training in field instruments and techniques will be an integral part of the activities, followed by a period of group work where students will study a stretch of river in more depth with the purpose of gathering information to input into engineering designs.

HECEPD specialization: (D. Roelvink, M van der Wegen)
Field measurements will be focusing on getting hands-on experience with  the execution of measurements in a coastal environment: flow velocity, bottom profiles, sediment transport, drifter measurements. Introduction to combined use of field data and modelling.

HELWD specialization: Field Experiments in Irrigation (L.G. Hayde)
Various types of measuring equipment. Hydraulic characteristics of field channels. Soil characteristics. Various irrigation methods. Water balance measurements. Discharge-depth relationship for measuring structures. Measurement of pump characteristics and of head losses in pipe systems. Hydrometric measurements, current metering, salt dilution method and slope-area method. Discharge calculations by various methods; mean and mid-section method.

• Fieldtrip Information and Documentation, (handout)
• HWR and HERBD: Foppen, Nonner, Beevers : Hydro(geo)logical Fieldwork Dignes-les-Bains Field manual
• A variety of existing data, thematic maps and aerial photographs of the fieldwork area.
• HELWD: Hayde, 2008. Manual Field Experiments in Irrigation  -  (in preparation).

• H.J.M. Bijnsdorp, MSc
• B. Bhattacharya, PhD, MSc