Hydraulic and Hydrological Field Measurements

Specialization / Direction

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the measurements of meteorological, soil, hydrological, hydraulic and water quality parameters both in the field and in the laboratory as well as the processing and analysis of the measurements in a systematic manner. The course includes five (5) sections: 1) Meteorological measurements, 2) Soil measurements, 3) Hydraulic/hydrological measurements, 4) Water quality measurements, 5) Remote sensing measurements of environmental and hydrological parameters. Specifically, the course includes measurements and processing and analysis of measurements: 1) Meteorological measurements: Measurement with automatic and telemetric stations of precipitation, air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation, evaporation and evapotranspiration. 2) Soil measurements: Soil particle size analysis, density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, soil moisture and soil infiltration measurements. 3) Hydraulic/hydrological measurements: Measurement of stream flow velocity, measurement/estimation of stream flow, level measurement of streams and lakes and test pumping to calculate T and S of aquifers. 4) Measurements of physicochemical water parameters: Measurement of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and total dissolved solids of lakes and streams and sampling, statistical analysis and use of diagrams for the assessment of groundwater quality parameters. 5) Remote sensing measurements: Use of satellite multispectral images and radar measurements, multispectral, RGB and LiDAR measurements with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, drones) for the calculation of environmental and water indicators. Knowledge The course aims to train students in common and basic field measurements and laboratory measurements of hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and water resource variables, in the processing and analysis of measurements and in the comprehensive presentation of results. The course constitutes an important part of the required knowledge of the Rural and Surveying Engineer. It provides students with the connection of theoretical knowledge with field and laboratory measurements, facilitating the understanding of hydrological physical phenomena, an important asset both for postgraduate studies and for a successful future career in the field as an engineer. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: • Have knowledge of the methods of measuring hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and water resource variables • Have knowledge of the technological equipment required for the measurements of hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and water resource variables. • Have knowledge of the methods of processing, analyzing and comprehensively presenting the measurements of hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and water resource variables • Have knowledge and understanding of the difficulties and uncertainties involved in the measurement of hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and water resource variables. • Understand the different spatial scales between in situ measurements and remote sensing measurements. • Understand the spatial and temporal variability of quantitative and qualitative water and environmental parameters. Skills After completing the course, the student will possess advanced skills in measuring, processing and analyzing hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and variables of the science of hydrology/hydraulic engineering. Abilities After completing the course, the student will be able to fully understand the design and method of measuring basic hydrological, hydraulic and environmental parameters and variables of water resources as well as their processing and analysis in a comprehensive manner. In particular, students will be able to: • Measure, process and analyze meteorological, soil, hydrological, hydraulic and qualitative parameters and variables of water resources and systems • Calculate hydrological and environmental indicators from remote sensing data • Assess the quantitative and qualitative status and their changes in space and time of surface and groundwater resources • Monitor changes in the quantitative and qualitative status of water resources with ground and remote sensing measurements

The course includes five (5) measurement modules and analysis/processing of measurements: 1) Meteorological measurements: Measurement with automatic and telemetric stations of precipitation, air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation, evaporation and evapotranspiration. 2) Soil measurements: Soil particle analysis, measurements of soil density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, soil moisture (point and profile) and soil infiltration. 3) Hydraulic/hydrological measurements: Measurement of water stream flow velocity, measurement/estimation of water stream discharge, measurement of water stream and lake levels and test pumping for the calculation of T and S of aquifers. 4) Measurements of physicochemical parameters of water: Measurement of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and total dissolved solids of lakes and streams and sampling, statistical analysis and use of diagrams for the assessment of groundwater quality parameters. 5) Remote sensing measurements: Use of satellite multispectral images and radar measurements, multispectral, RGB and LiDAR measurements with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, drones) for the calculation of environmental and water indicators.

10-02-2025