Training workshop on "An Introduction to Field Hydrology". 10th to 14th November, 2014 FERAL Campus, Pondicherry.

Background:

Managing and monitoring water resources is one of the most important concerns for those working with communities. Maintaining ecological and environmental flows in rivers is a major concern for sustaining downstream ecosystems and ecosystem services in rivers and estuaries. The ability to measure various aspects of water resources such as rainfall, stream-flow and ground-water is crucial for better understanding and sustainable management of water resources. Such information can help monitor natural systems and quantify changes that ensue from modifying natural flows or to predict what might occur if such flows are diverted or impounded.
Consequently, field hydrology is emerging as a necessary skill set for ecologists and development professionals. However, it rarely finds a place in formal courses outside the discipline of hydrology.

Objectives:

• Help researchers get a grounding in the basic concepts of hydrology.
• To help non-hydrologists get up to speed with the collection and analysis of field data.
• A hands-on on simple, cost-effective ways of visualizing, measuring and calculating discharge.

Methodology:

Talk and Presentations, discussions, field installations, field visit and practical lab session

Target Participants:

The workshop was meant for an audience, particularly non-hydrologists who requires basic knowledge about concepts and field methods in surface hydrology. Main target audience for the workshop were people from non-governmental organizations working in the field of hydrology and/or watershed development.

A total of 23 participants from various non government organizations from different parts of the country were a part of the workshop.