Duration
10h Th, 5h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits
| Master in geography, global change, research focus (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course aims to introduce different topics related to the physical components of river management and development.
The first part of this course relates to the past dynamics of the rivers before the disturbances generated by the human activities. This first quantitative approach raises the question of the reference state of the rivers.
Different methods of characterisation and sectorisation of rivers and alluvial plains at different scales are then discussed. The methods for assessing the hydro-morphological quality are presented and applied to a section of watercourse. Several restoration projects of the hydro-morphological quality of watercourses will be analysed.
Another important aspect of this course concerns the hydro-geomorphological impacts of hydraulic developments and works (bank protection, cleaning up, recalibration, remeandering, etc.). The results of various studies are presented in class but also in the field. Finally, an exercise on the mapping of flood zones will also be carried out on a concrete case.
The issue of sediment transport (suspended matter and bed load) and sediment management will also be discussed.
Finally, a meeting/discussion with river managers and river contract coordinators will be organised.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Analysis of the fluvial forms and their evolution via topographic and spatial analysis methods.
Mastery of sectorisation techniques, evaluation of hydromorphological quality and mapping of flood zones (hydrogeomorphological method).
Analysis of hydro-morphological impacts linked to watercourse developments.
Ability to analyse and characterise solid transport (sediments) using different field methods.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
This course requires a mastery of the fundamental concepts of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology taught in the BAC courses. In addition, several mapping and data processing software packages will be used.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Mapping of flood risk areas
Visits to watercourse restoration and riverbank protection sites
Sectorisation and diagnosis of the hydro-morphological quality of watercourses
Meeting with the coordinators of a river contract
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face teaching. Attendance at classes and field days is compulsory. Any absence must be justified by a medical certificate for example.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Course notes will be distributed before each class. Scientific articles and extracts from technical reports will also be used as course material.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
The evaluation will be based on the participation in the different field activities on the one hand, and on the written reports and personal work submitted after the course sessions on the other.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
A financial contribution will be requested to cover the costs of the field days.
If the number of students enrolled in this course is less than 3, all or part of the oral course may be replaced by written work.
Contacts
Département de Géographie, Institut de Géographie, Bât. B11, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman) Secrétariat du Département : +32(0)4/366.54.78 - Geoffrey HOUBRECHTS : Tél. : +32(0)4/366.52.57 - e-mail : G.Houbrechts@uliege.be