Introduction to Groundwater and Watershed Hydrology
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Understanding the fundamental principles of groundwater and watersheds and how we monitor, assess, and sustainably manage these resources under climate change and variability is critical and integral to many water-related programs. Whether at the local, state, and federal level, these programs are designed for sustainable development and protection of water resources in California among competing users. Increasingly, professionals, decision makers, executives, and employees of diverse background and in a wide variety of private, non-profit, and government responsibilities at the local, state, and federal level are directly or indirectly involved in the sustainable management and assessment of groundwater and surface water, including the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act through groundwater sustainability agencies and plans, source water assessments, urban water management plans, and integrated regional water management plans. Yet, many participants find themselves lacking the multidisciplinary background, expertise, or means to meet the technical and regulatory challenges related to groundwater, water and drinking water resources management. The amount of technical information available often seems overwhelming.
This shortcourse will review the fundamental principles of groundwater and watershed hydrology, water quality, and water contamination in an intuitive, highly accessible fashion. It will then provide an overview of the most common tools for measuring, monitoring, and assessing groundwater and surface water resources. And it will review current local, state, and federal programs dealing with groundwater, sustainable groundwater management, and watersheds. The course is specifically geared towards an audience that is or will be involved in the management, assessment, and protection of groundwater and water resources, particularly through the new Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. Course attendees who may have some experience with, but no formal training in hydrology or related engineering or science fields, will benefit from the basic and intuitive, yet comprehensive approach of this course.
Experienced instructors with a broad in-depth knowledge of California groundwater and watershed hydrology will teach the course. Topics include: Surface Water Hydrology and Watersheds, Groundwater Hydrology, Managing streamflows, Water Rights and Water Law, Surface Water Quality and Contaminants, Groundwater Quality and Contaminants, Sampling, and Monitoring, Water quality regulations, Water quality management and designing BMPs and Climate change impacts on watershed and groundwater.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This shortcourse is directed toward technical staff, consultants, and technical and management personnel in private and public water supply companies, irrigation districts, water districts, local and state agencies, and in resource conservation districts. The course also serves as an excellent introduction to hydrogeology, water resources assessment and monitoring for watershed advisors, watershed group participants, and members of environmental and other stakeholder groups and citizens alliances.
COURSE MATERIALS:
"Watersheds, Groundwater, and Drinking Water: A Practical Guide" edited by Thomas Harter and Larry Rollins Included in registration fee ($40 value). This guide will help resource managers, planners, and other decision makers better understand and assess water supplies and to define and manage protection areas for water sources.
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