One of the major challenges in water resources management today and coming future is reducing the risk related to extreme events, i.e. floods and droughts, mainly through a reliable flow prediction. In addition, the number of heterogeneous observations, such as earth observations, available for water management purposes is rapidly increasing. How can we use this data to improve flood forecasting? How they can be integrated in existing water models? Do we really need all this data? One possible solution in order to reduce model uncertainty coming from input, model parameters and model structure is the use of data science (DS) methods as data assimilation, data filling, data reduction and data analysis. In fact, data assimilation methods, like Kalman filter, Ensemble Kalman filter, Particle filter or Variational data assimilation, are used to optimally integrate uncertain real-time observations into water system models and update the states of such models in order to provide im
proved prediction estimate and reduce the process uncertainties.

The primary learning objective of this short course will be to provide an overview of data science applications in hydrology, river hydraulic, morphology, groundwater, sediment transport, ecology, etc. in the form of two blocks lectures of 1.5 hour each one. Introducing a theoretical background about DS methods with particular focus on describing real-life data assimilation applications in different water related fields, the first block aims to increase awareness of participants on the vital role and potential benefits of using DS approaches. In the second block, a detailed description of advanced DA applications will be provided with the help of tailored examples and interactive discussion with the participants.

This short course will be intended to accommodate early career hydrologic researchers (MSc students, PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers) whose current skills and knowledge range from very basic (first block lecture) to well-developed (second block).

The lecture will be given by Dr. Ghada El Serafy from Deltares (Delft, the Netherlands): https://www.deltares.nl/nl/experts/ghada-el-serafy/

Please note that pre-registration is not necessary. The course will be open to a limited number of participants selected on a first come-first served basis. We suggest that you arrive the room assigned a little earlier to make sure that you find an empty seat.

In cooperation with the Young Hydrologic Society (http://younghs.com/) and IAHR Young Professional Network Delft (http://iahrdelft.youngprofessionalnetwork.unesco-ihe.org/home)

For any additional information, please contact the conveners.