Geomorphology and catchments' hydrology - Geomorphology

This course is based on the Vidourle Mediterranean watershed and the new experimental site of the Observatoire Multi-Échelle de la DYnamique des Crues et de l'hYdrodynamique Souterraine en milieu karStiques (MEDYCYSS - OSU OREME -SNO KARST). 

A first day in the field introduces the geographical, geological and climatic context, as well as the various geomorphological elements, the different orogenetic phases and their links with vegetation. A stop at the experimental site introduces the measuring devices used (rain gauge, flow tower, probes measuring soil temperature and humidity, etc.), before tackling the issue of hydrological risk with the Conqueyrac flood control dam. A more theoretical section redefines the concepts of geomorphology and hydrogeomorphology, and looks at soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfers.                            

The second day in the field, around the experimental site located near the causse de Pompignan, is devoted to field measurements: infiltration into the soil to determine hydraulic conductivity at saturation, sampling of soil cylinders to determine porosity, water content and density, vegetation measurements, flow measurements.   

The last part of the course is devoted to hydrological modeling, with an introduction to the HEC-HMS software through practical exercises, aimed at estimating available water resources on a BV scale (including evapotranspiration), and forecasting flows during floods, particularly during Cevennes episodes. Data measured in the field will be fed back into this modeling work.

The aim of this course is to describe and formulate the various processes involved in the hydrological and hydrogeological functioning of watersheds, depending in particular on the geographical, geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydroclimatic context. The aim is to specify how surface/subterranean water transfers modify the surface and the establishment of vegetation, and to describe infiltration mechanisms and the structuring of surface and subterranean drainage networks in different geological contexts. The final objective 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 strong karstic component.

EU "Water Cycle                                                                            

Functioning of Hydrosystems" UE

Continuous assessment 100%, 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