2017-2018 / GEOG0633-1

Rivers dynamics

Duration

15h Th, 25h Pr, 4d FW

Number of credits

 Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Geoffrey Houbrechts

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

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).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course considers the various methods and concepts of river dynamics, within the framework of applications to river management

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Course of geomorphology

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

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.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

- 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

Recommended or required readings

Syllabus distributed to the students and reading list (papers accessible by ORBI)

Assessment methods and criteria

theorical corse : oral examination

practical : written examination

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Geoffrey HOUBRECHTS
Département de Géographie
Bât : B11 Sart tilman - 4000 Liège
Tel : 04 -366 5257
E-Mail : G.Houbrechts@ulg.ac.be