Simulation Modeling for Water Resources Management

Catalog description

This course will provide hands-on experience of several commonly available simulation models for natural resources engineers for investigating water resources related issues. The models will serve as a base from which students can investigate the effects of different management design scenarios on watershed system responses. The course introduces general modeling concepts of data processing, model development, model calibration/validation and uncertainty analysis. Model development concepts will be introduced with data driven regression models for rainfall-runoff simulation. Then, students will work with a range of simulation models commonly used by industry or government agencies. One model might be used as an initial exploration of modeling for an entire watershed and to show the hydrologic responses for various subwatersheds (agriculturally dominated vs. urban dominated). A second model might be used to explore more in-depth modeling for an urban watershed. A third model might be used to introduce modeling concepts of demand driven closed conduit water systems in drinking water distribution systems. Students will select one of the three models to study in detail for a project where they evaluate a water management structure design or investigate a water resources related issue.