Applying Geographic Information Systems for Terrain and Watershed Analysis in Hydrology

Course Number: CEE 6930

Instructor: David Tarboton, Utah State University

Digital mapping of hydrology and water resources information using content from publicly available sources such as the US national map, and other climate and hydrography datasets. Hydrologic terrain analysis using digital elevation models (DEMs) and DEM based delineation of channel networks and watersheds. Flood hydrology modeling and inundation mapping based on height above the nearest drainage derived from digital elevation models. There will be four detailed computer exercises that introduce (1) Building a watershed basemap using publicly available hydrography and watershed boundary data in the US; (2) Spatial analysis. Calculation of slope, land use and precipitation over subwatersheds; (3) Watershed delineation from digital elevation models; and (4) Basic GIS Programming using Python, using calculation of river hydraulic properties using height above the nearest drainage (HAND) as an example.

Prerequisite: This course will use ArcGIS Pro from ESRI. The prerequisite is basic knowledge of GIS through any prior GIS course or self-preparation through the 3-hour free Predict Deforestation in the Amazon rain forest online lesson from ESRI at https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/predict-deforestation-in-the-amazon-rain-forest/. Arrangements will be made for students to use ArcGIS Pro through their university site license.

Course Outline and Schedule.