CSHS/CRI Rivers Field Course

Principles of Hydrometric, Temperature and Sediment Monitoring in Streams and Rivers

Dates

July 31 – Aug 4, 2023

Description

Hydrology and geomorphology are essential components of a large number of ecological processes in rivers and estuaries. Understanding of the components of a hydrological budget, water quality and channel-forming processes is helpful in the study of chemical/biological interactions in aquatic ecosystems. Over the course of the last decades, the modernization of monitoring tools has allowed most water resources managers to distance themselves from data acquisition. However, understanding the requirements of appropriate measurement techniques for discharge, rainfall, water quality and sediments remains essential to appreciate the uncertainty of data that are available.

Objectives:

• Swift water safety
• A brief introduction to the water cycle and hydrological budget.
• An introduction to the dynamic equilibrium of rivers
• Familiarization with different flow measurement techniques
• Construction of flow rating curves
• Introduction to meteorological and water temperature measurements
• Introduction to sediment sampling in rivers

The emphasis of this course is on field techniques. Students will gain experiencing using Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (Flow Tracker), Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, temperature probes and more. The 2022 course will be given in English.

Location

The course will be given at the INRS field station located at Sacré-Coeur, 30 km north of Tadoussac, on the shore of the Ste-Marguerite River (click here for a map), a tributary of the Saguenay. Registrants can arrive by personal vehicle or by a shuttle arranged by the CSHS. The nearest airport to this location is in Quebec City and is a 3.5 hr drive from the airport to the station. The shuttle will take students from Quebec City Airport to the course and return to the airport after the course. A small fee (~$20 each way) will be charged for those taking the shuttle.

Registration

This course is open to everyone. Space is limited to 15 people due to the nature of the course (only so many people can stand in a river at once) and will be treated on a first come, first served basis. Please click the link below to register.

Fees:

• Student: $750
• Professional or Young Professional with a CSHS membership: $1500
• Young Professional (non-member) $1565
• Professionals (non-member): $1630

A student is someone enrolled full time in an academic institution. A young professional is someone who has been a full time student within the last 3 years. Registration includes food and accommodation for the duration of the course (Monday lunch through Friday lunch) and a 1-year CSHS & CWRA membership (if not already members).

Registration and Cancellation Policy

Because of budgetary commitments, registrants who cancel their registration will only be refunded 90% of the registration fees, and only if cancellation is received in writing at least 30 days before the start of the course.

Logistics

Lodging

Participants will stay on site at the field station. The field station is equipped with beds, but linens are are not provided. Students must bring their own sleeping bags. Depending on the number of registrants, some registrants may need to share a room.

Food

Everyone will be fed very well. Please let us know if you have any allergies when you register.

Transportation

Participants can either drive themselves to the field station or be at the Quebec City airport on Monday morning to catch a shuttle to the course. During the course there shouldn’t be a need to use a private vehicle.

What to bring

Technical equipment (lifejackets, waders, flow measurement devices, etc. ) will be provided by the course. We will be outdoors in the rain or sunshine. Please bring proper outdoor clothes (including a rain coat and rain pants) and any personal items that you might need throughout the week.