River Morphodynamics

This course is based on theoretical background but it is strongly oriented to practical applications by linking separate topics such as flood, sediment transport, longitudinal (i.e., slope and depth) and transversal (i.e., meandering, bank erosion) river bed changes, engineering issues (dam sediment retention, reservoir sedimentation, navigation, flood and erosion protection) environmental issues and restoration of river habitats.

Front lectures are combined with exercises and formative assessments to consolidate specific knowledge and analytical skills. The course includes three days of introduction to river morphodynamics modelling with the Delft3D software, including hands on exercises.

During the course we make sure to bring examples from different parts of the world across different climates and socio-economic areas. Some examples are the Pantanal (South America), the braided rivers of the Himalaya piedmonts (Asia), the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta (Asia), the Okavango Delta (Africa), the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta (Europe), the dam removals of North America.

Key experts on the field of morphodynamics and river engineering will give lectures on theoretical background, river morphology and river interventions and on river modelling with hands-on Delft3D model, providing scientific, analytical and practical views on river engineering practices.