Study Programmes 2015-2016
GEOG2030-1  
Hydrology
  • River Dynamics
  • Applied Hydrology
  • Hydrogeology
Duration :
River Dynamics : 15h Th, 15h Pr, 2d FW
Applied Hydrology : 10h Th, 15h Pr, 3d FW
Hydrogeology : 20h Th, 20h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS)10
Lecturer :
River Dynamics : François Petit
Applied Hydrology : François Petit
Hydrogeology : Alain Dassargues
Coordinator :
N...
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
River Dynamics
The hydraulics and mechanics of open channel flow. Erosion and sediment transport. Catchment denudation and sediments yield : solute transport dynamics, suspended sediment transport, bedload transport (Equations of Meyer-Peter, Bagnold...). Runoff erosion and gullies formation : application of the Es model. Evolution of the river patterns in response of Quaternary climatic changes. Bed stability and sedimentary structure (armouring effect, pebbles clusters, step pool system). River channel changes and adjustments : the effects of man (land-use changes, urbanization, extractive industries, the downstream effects of reservoir impoundment). Cartography of the flooded areas (hydrogeomorphologic method).
Applied Hydrology
The first part of the course considers the different components of the hydrological cycle which are in direct connection with the flow : physiographical characters of the catchments, analyze of precipitations and in particular of exceptional events (intensity-duration-frequency curve), measurement and treatment of the discharges, response of the dicharges to precipitations (in particular in relation to the urbanization and the land use), calculation of the discharges recurrence interval, protection against the floods. The second part of the course relates to evolution of rivers beds: characteristics of the rivers' flow, erosion and transport of the sediments, typology of river beds, lateral erosion and stability of the river beds, evolution of the river beds in response to installations (dams, dredging, adjustment of the beds, banks protection), rivers restoration.
Hydrogeology
The fundamentals of hydrogeology and groundwater are proposed in this course: - Introduction - Definitions: groundwater resources advantages and drawbacks, relative importance in the world, in Belgium, in Walloon region. - Hydrological cycle and water balance of a basin, groundwater reserves. - Confined, water table and perched aquifers: definitions and examples, importance of a clear geological understanding when defining hydrogeological conditions. - Hydrogeological parameters and groundwater flow equations: hydrostatic, porosities, hydraulic conductivity and Darcy's law, intrinsic permeability, generalisation, application, limitations, measurements on field, piezometric maps, application examples, transmissivity, steady state groundwater flow in saturated conditions, specific storage coefficient, transient flow in confined and water table aquifers. - Pumping tests and recovery: assumptions, interpretation methods in steady state and transient state, superposition principle, anisotropy, leakance, applications. - Hydrochemical state of groundwater. - Processes and equations describing th contaminant transport in groundwater by advection, diffusion, dispersion, adsorption/desorption, decay, immobile water effect. - Introduction to the use of isotopes and interpretation of results.
Learning outcomes of the course :
River Dynamics
This course considers the various methods and concepts of river dynamics, within the framework of applications to river management
Applied Hydrology
The first part of the course is more particularly focused on surface hydrology, considering the methods of measurements, the specific data processing, the regional components and the modifications induced by human action. The second part of the course relates to the more specific problems of the morphology and the dynamics of the rivers in relation to the hydrological regime and on problems concerning the management of the rivers
Hydrogeology
At the end of the course, the student will have a strong basic knowledge about hydrogeology and groundwater flow problems. He will be able to: - understand and exploite theoretical and practical hydrogeological concepts; - calculate groundwater fluxes and flow directions; - interprete hydrogeological maps; - draw and interprete piezometric maps; - predict and detect local hydrogeological specificities of a study-site; - interprete pumping tests; - design on field measurement campaigns for groundwater quantity and quality; - interprete and report about hydrochemical groundwater quality data; - understand and interprete the main solute transport processes in groundwater. Exercices and practical courses are lead by an assistant helped by two student-instructors. They will help each student to develop his self-sufficient capacities on practical and real case studies. The not compulsory reading of reference books (in english) will allow additional documentation and understanding of scientific texts in this topic.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
River Dynamics
Course of geomorphology
Hydrogeology
The course requires a good knowledge of general geology and basic knowledges of hydraulics and mathematical and vectorial analysis.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
River Dynamics
Practical works consist to field works (discharge measurement; techniques of marking and sampling of sediments), treatments related to hydrological and sedimentological data. Maps and aerial photographs analysis.
Applied Hydrology
Practical works : Practical works consist in exercises relating to the evaluation of the various physiographical parameters characterizing the watersheds, to calculations of the discharges and the adjustments of the extreme discharges (Law of Gumbel), on the evaluation of the water reserves (drying up curve). The on-site practical works day consists in situ measurements of the discharges (treated during practical works), in the observation of river dynamics processes and surface hydrology (impacts of the dams on river morphology, protections against floods, cartography of the possibly flooded zones
Hydrogeology
The course is composed of "ex-cathedra" lectures and directed exercises sessions. The exercises sessions are organised in direct relation with the topics covered by the theory lectures. Usually, two hours of lecture are followed by an exercices session of two hours (except for the first half-day of the semester). In addition, and in function of the availability in the student time schedule, a one day on field (or two half-days) will be organised for on field measurements and for visiting water company exploitation installations. The dates will be fixed together with the students.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
River Dynamics
- the hydraulics and mechanics of open channel flow;

- erosion and sediment transport (critical velocity, shear stress evaluation, stream power);

- catchment denudation and sediments yield; solute transport dynamics, suspended sediment transport, bedload transport. Runoff erosion and gullies formation.

- Evolution of the river patterns (Quaternary climatic changes; adjustments to the effects of man and and to climatic modifications;

- cartography of the flooded areas
Applied Hydrology
Concept and characteristics of the watersheds; exceptional precipitations, analyze and characteristics of the discharges; erosion and transport of sediments; morphology and dynamics of the river beds; management of the rivers.
Hydrogeology
Face-to-face.
Recommended or required readings :
River Dynamics
Syllabus distributed to the students and reading list (papers accessible by ORBI)
Applied Hydrology
syllabus distributed to the students (120 pages) + reading list
Hydrogeology
A pdf copy of all transparents and partail notes are made available on E-Campus.This is only a summary of what was said and shown during the lectures. The following reference book is adviced: - Fetter C.W., 2001, Applied Hydrogeology (4th Edition), Prentice Hall, 598 p. In this book, the student will find more details and examples than collected during the lectures. The pdf copy of the transparents will be available in French and in English.
Assessment methods and criteria :
River Dynamics
theorical corse : oral examination

practical : written examination
Applied Hydrology
Theoretical course: oral examination. Practical work: written examination.
Hydrogeology
A written exam is organised in January and in September sessions. With open questions, the evaluation is based mainly on understanding the concepts and processes, but it requires also memorisation. Indeed, a good knowledge and perfect command of the fundamentals are needed for preparing accurate and adequate answers. During the exercices sessions, different problems are submitted to the students for an individual resolution. A final report on these resolutions is required for the last exercises session of the semester. The evaluation of this exercises report provides 30% of the final exam mark.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Hydrogeology
The course will be given during the 1st semester: Friday pm 14h00-18h00.
Contacts :
River Dynamics
François PETIT

Département de Géographie

Allée du 6 août, 2, Bât : B11 Sart tilman - 4000 Liège

Tel : 04 -366 5268

E-Mail : Francois.Petit@ulg.ac.be
Applied Hydrology
François PETIT

Département de Géographie

Allée du 6 août, 2 - Bât. B11 Sart Tilman

Francois.Petit@ulg.ac.be

Tel : 04 366 5268
Hydrogeology
Alain Dassargues 04/3662376 Alain.Dassargues@ulg.ac.be Assistants: P.Orban@ulg.ac.be P.Briers@ulg.ac.be Ingrid Ruthy ingrid.ruthy@ulg.ac.be