Jeff Zimmerman

1
Opportunities in Training

• Jeff Zimmerman
• National Hydrologic Program Managers Conference
• July 11, 2007

2
Focus on Science

• Over past few years, significant effort made to
  develop training materials focused on basic
  hydrologic science concepts
• RFC Operations Team recommendations
• AHPS and Water Resources

3
Focus on Science

• Hydrology Team formed at COMET
• COMETs MET-ED web page has a significant
  hydrology component
• QPF
• Flash Flood
• Basic Hydrologic Science

4
Basic Hydrologic Science Curriculum

• Aimed at those who do not have formal training in
  hydrology, this course is designed to address the
  needs of non-hydrologists who work with
  hydrologic data, particularly in flood
  forecasting. The course is intended to provide an
  understanding of the complex interactions between
  the waters of the land and atmosphere and will
  prepare the student for further study in this
  area.
• Course Goal
• The goal of this course is to provide students
  with knowledge of basic scientific concepts
  underlying hydrology and to develop fundamental
  skills applying key tools and methods of
  hydrologic forecasting.

5
Basic Hydrologic Science Curriculum

• Course Objectives
• Understand the elements of the hydrologic cycle.
• Explain the rainfall runoff process.
• Describe the snowmelt runoff process.
• Recognize effects of river ice on flood
  occurrences.
• Describe the process of stream-flow routing.
• Use a unit hydrograph for forecasting flows.
• Apply flash flood guidance taking into account
  the uncertainties in the product.
• Apply an understanding of hydrologic modeling
  methods currently in use, to interpret model
  guidance.
• Apply statistical methods to assess flood risk.

6
Basic Hydrologic Science Curriculum

• Modules
• Orientation
• Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle
• Runoff Processes
• Unit Hydrograph Theory
• Streamflow Routing
• Flash Flood Processes
• Flood Frequency Analysis
• River Ice Processes
• Snow Melt Processes
• River Forecasting Case Study
• Flash Flood Case Studies

7
Learning Management System

• Basic Hydro Science curriculum modules will be
  available on the new DOC/NOAA/NWS E-learning web
  page
• http//doc.learn.com/noaa/nws
• Not all modules may be available at this time
• Will be placed on-line through the summer

8
Tools and Technology

• NWSTC has developed material focused on tools
  available on AWIPS
• NWSTC Web Site maintained by Dave C.
• http//www.nwstc.noaa.gov/nwstrn/hydro/index.html
• Focus to-date has been on H-VTEC implementation

9
Whats coming

• We look to provide a series of new modules in FY
  08
• Basics of dam failures
• Precipitation Processing
• AWIPS Updates
• Residence Class offerings
• NWSTC Advanced Hydro Apps
• Flash Flood Hydrology/QPE Workshop
• Advanced Hydrologic Science Workshop

10
Where do we go next

• Initiate a small team to look at Hydrology
  Program direction and training needs
• Identify skill sets needed to implement Hydrology
  Program vision
• Update Hydrology PDS
• Better position Hydrology Program within NSTEP
• Provide input for the NOAA Planning/Budgeting
  process