Course Level: Foundation

Course Objectives:

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of QGIS and its application in hydrology.

2. Use QGIS tools and plugins for watershed delineation, flow analysis, and hydrological modeling.

3. Perform flood risk analysis and water quality monitoring using QGIS.

4. Conduct spatial analysis to model and visualize hydrological processes.

5. Create dynamic maps, reports, and visualizations to communicate hydrological findings effectively.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to QGIS for Hydrology

• Overview of QGIS and its capabilities for hydrological analysis

• Installing and setting up QGIS for hydrological applications

• Introduction to key QGIS plugins for hydrology (e.g., HydroTools, QSWAT, Processing Toolbox)

• Basic QGIS functions: adding layers, symbology, and map layout design

Case Study:

• Basic Hydrological Mapping: Participants will import and visualize geospatial data such as DEMs, watersheds, and river networks. They will create a basic map to represent water flow and watershed boundaries using QGIS.

Module 2: Working with Raster Data for Hydrology

• Understanding raster data: DEMs, land cover, and precipitation data

• Working with raster layers in QGIS (resampling, reclassification, and analysis)

• Analyzing elevation data and terrain features for hydrological analysis

• Slope, aspect, and flow direction analysis using raster data

Case Study:

• Watershed Delineation Using DEM: Participants will perform watershed delineation using a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) to identify flow direction and create a watershed boundary for a given region.

Module 3: Watershed Delineation and Stream Network Analysis

• Introduction to watershed delineation and stream network analysis

• Using QSWAT or HydroTools plugin for watershed modeling

• Identifying stream networks, sub-watersheds, and river basins

• Flow accumulation and drainage networks analysis

Case Study:

• Stream Network and Watershed Analysis: Participants will use QSWAT to delineate a watershed and identify the stream network for flood risk analysis and water resource management.

Module 4: Hydrological Modeling with QGIS

• Introduction to hydrological modeling concepts (e.g., rainfall-runoff models)

• Using QGIS for hydrological modeling (e.g., SWAT, HEC-RAS, HydroTools)

• Setting up hydrological models using spatial data (DEM, land use, soil types)

• Performing basic rainfall-runoff simulations and analyzing model results

Case Study:

• Rainfall-Runoff Modeling: Participants will simulate rainfall-runoff processes using QGIS and the SWAT plugin to model how different precipitation scenarios impact water flow in a watershed.

Module 5: Hydrological Data Visualization in QGIS

• Visualization techniques for hydrological data (e.g., heatmaps, flow direction maps)

• Creating thematic maps for water resources, hydrological models, and flood zones

• Labeling, symbology, and map design for clear communication

• Generating interactive maps using QGIS Web Client

Case Study:

• Flow Visualization and Risk Mapping: Participants will visualize hydrological flow patterns and identify flood risk areas using QGIS symbology and styling tools.

Module 6: Flood Risk Assessment and Mapping

• Introduction to flood risk assessment and floodplain mapping

• Using QGIS for flood modeling and risk analysis

• Working with flood hazard data (e.g., flood zones, river discharge, rainfall intensity)

• Analyzing floodplain boundaries and assessing flood risks

Case Study:

• Flood Risk Mapping: Participants will use QGIS to create floodplain maps based on river discharge data, precipitation, and historical flooding events to assess flood risks in a given area.

Module 7: Water Quality Monitoring with QGIS

• Introduction to water quality monitoring and data collection

• Working with water quality data in QGIS (e.g., temperature, pH, turbidity)

• Spatial analysis of water quality data for pollution source identification

• Using QGIS to visualize water quality trends and hot spots

Case Study:

• Water Quality Monitoring: Participants will analyze water quality data to identify pollution sources and visualize trends in water quality across a watershed using QGIS.

Module 8: Hydrological Data Integration and Processing

• Integrating hydrological data from different sources (e.g., satellite imagery, field surveys)

• Using Processing Toolbox to automate spatial analysis workflows

• Data preprocessing techniques (e.g., data cleaning, formatting)

• Converting between spatial data formats for analysis

Case Study:

• Data Integration for Hydrological Analysis: Participants will integrate different datasets (e.g., DEMs, land cover, precipitation) to perform comprehensive hydrological analysis and visualization in QGIS.

Module 9: Advanced Spatial Analysis for Hydrological Applications

• Advanced spatial analysis techniques (e.g., buffering, spatial joins, hotspot analysis)

• Analyzing hydrological impacts on land use and water resources

• Using QGIS for environmental impact assessments

• Advanced modeling of hydrological processes (e.g., flood routing, groundwater recharge)

Case Study:

• Groundwater Recharge Analysis: Participants will use advanced spatial analysis techniques to model groundwater recharge in a given watershed using QGIS.

Module 10: Final Project and Reporting

• Applying knowledge to a real-world hydrological case study

• Participants will work in groups to conduct a comprehensive hydrological analysis using QGIS

• Creating a final report and map presentation to communicate findings and recommendations

• Tips for sharing QGIS results with stakeholders (e.g., exporting maps, creating interactive web maps)

Case Study:

• Comprehensive Hydrological Analysis: Participants will conduct a complete hydrological analysis (including watershed delineation, flow analysis, flood risk, and water quality) for a chosen region, present findings in a report, and create maps for stakeholder communication.