Geomorphology and catchment hydrology

This EU is centered around the Vidourle Mediterranean Watershed and the new experimental site of the Multi-Scale Observatory of Flood Dynamics and Underground Hydrodynamics in Karst Environments (MEDYCYSS – OSU OREME -SNO KARST). 

The first day in the field provides an opportunity to present the geographical, geological, and climatic context, as well as the various geomorphological features, the different orogenic phases, and their links with vegetation. A stop at the experimental site provides an opportunity to present the measuring devices (rain gauge, flux tower, probes measuring soil temperature and humidity, etc.) used, before addressing the issue of hydrological risk with the Conqueyrac flood control dam. A more theoretical section will redefine the concepts of geomorphology and hydrogeomorphology and address soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfers.                            

The second day in the field, around the experimental site located near the Pompignan limestone plateau, is devoted to field measurements: soil infiltration to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil cylinder sampling to determine porosity, water content, and density, vegetation measurements, and flow measurements.   

The last part of the EU is devoted to hydrological modeling with an introduction to HEC-HMS software as part of practical work, aimed at estimating the water resources available at the watershed level (including evapotranspiration) and predicting flows during floods caused in particular by heavy rainfall events. The data measured in the field will be used in this modeling work.

This EU aims to describe and formulate the various processes involved in the hydrological and hydrogeological functioning of watersheds, particularly in relation to the geographical, geological, geomorphological, pedological, and hydroclimatic context. It aims to clarify how surface/groundwater transfers modify the surface and the establishment of vegetation, and to describe the mechanisms of infiltration and the structure of surface and underground drainage networks in different geological contexts. The ultimate goal is to introduce students to the use of hydrological modeling tools to address issues of water resource vulnerability and flash flood risk in watersheds with a high karst component.

EU "Water Cycle"                                                                            

EU "Functioning of Hydrosystems"

100% Continuous Monitoring, including:

- a report on the first field trip

- A report on the second field trip (including field data processing)

- A report on hydrological modeling with HEC-HMS on one of the proposed case studies