Syllabus 2009/2010 VVR170

Syllabus academic year 2009/2010
(Created 2009-08-11.)

RIVER RESTORATION

VVR170

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: A (Second level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in English. Optional for: MWLU1, V4vr, W4, W4ve, W4vr. Course coordinator: Rolf Larsson, rolf.larsson@tvrl.lth.se, Teknisk vattenresurslära. Recommended prerequisits: Hydrology and hydraulics as VVR111 and VVR120, alternatively through VVR145. Integrated Water Resources Management as VVRF01. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 15. Assessment: Examination is based on two assignments and a written final examination. Participation in two field trips is also required. Marking of assignments is based on both form and content of a written report. For passing grade an oral presentation is also required. The written exam is "closed book" and consists of questions which are mainly open in character. The course grade is a weighted average of the three marked components. Further information: The course is delivered in cooperation with the Limnology Department. Class scheduled for evenings. Home page: http://www.tvrl.lth.se/utbildning/undergraduate_courses/VVR170.

Aim
The course is part of the International Master's programme (WaterLU). It is also an optional course for students of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering ("civilingenjör V, W") specialising in Water Resources. There are two main objectives of this course. One is that the students learn both theory and practice of river restoration and management. The other main objective is that students get to apply their knowledge in basic subjects such as hydrology, hydraulics and biology while working with real life projects. They also learn to work in groups formed by students with different academic backgrounds.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to characterise a river basin and identify problems that are essential from a river manager's perspective
be able to formulate complex objectives for a restoration project - taking into account social, hydrological and ecological consequences - and have the ability to perform the analyses and calculations which are required as a basis for decision making

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to apply - at a professional level - her/his academic knowledge of basic subjects in the design of a restoration project
be able to present project results scientifically in the form of a report written in English
show good capability in orally presenting project proposals for different types of stakeholders
be able to argue in English for her/his viewpoints concerning issues in river management

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to evaluate alternative ways of reaching the objectives of a restoration project
show the ability to take a professional role and include aspects of sustainability in river management

Contents
Since this course is closely connected with the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management, the contents are rather general in character. Special attention is devoted to:

basic concepts in hydrology, hydraulics, sediment transport and lotic ecology with relevance for river management
introduction to river management and river restoration: objectives and methods
new methods and techniques in river restoration
important legal and administrative aspects of river management and river restoration in Sweden and the EU.
practical experiences from international river projects.

Literature
1. Madsen B.L., 1995. Danish Watercourses Ten years with the new watercourse act (collected examples of maintenance and restoration). Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Denmark. Available for free at (link also found on course web site): http://www.mst.dk/udgiv/Publications/1995/87-7810-344-4/pdf/87-7810-344-4.PDF
2. Lecture notes. Distributed as handouts during lectures and/or published on www (aqua.tvrl.lth.se/course/TNV080/TNV080.html).