Teaching Kits for Surface Hydrology Training Using Open-Source Software for Optimal Management and Decision-Making in Environmental Sector Organisations and Companies

Knowledge Offer, Oferta Tecnológica

Agroalimentación y Agroambiente

8 October 2026

Teaching Kits for Surface Hydrology Training Using Open-Source Software for Optimal Management and Decision-Making in Environmental Sector Organisations and Companies

This project involves, on the one hand, the development of teaching packages. These packages consist of a software tool together with a methodological guide for training in flood risk studies related to environmental engineering. On the other hand, training in this field, combined with appropriate management practices, will help improve the resilience of internal processes within companies in the environmental sector.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

To address these issues, a training project has been developed consisting of a methodological guide together with a software tool.

As an example, the following section presents software for a range of flood risk studies. This example can be extrapolated to other applications in the environmental sector (irrigation ponds, reservoirs, bridges, roads, hydraulic structures, among others).

Software description:

The software is IBER, an open-source programme developed by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the University of A Coruña.

TEACHING PROGRAMME METHODOLOGICAL GUIDE

Module 1: Current Legislation and Delimitation of Public Watercourses.

Module 2: Delimitation of Drainage Basins.

Module 3: Morphological Characterisation and Concentration Times.

Module 4: Hydrological Characterisation. Land Use Databases and Determination of the Curve Number.

Module 5: Rainfall. Data Analysis and Estimation of Rainfall for Different Return Periods.

Module 6: Temporal Distribution of Rainfall. Hyetographs.

Module 7: Determination of Maximum Flood Discharges.

TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

We offer the kit to educational centres (primary and secondary schools, as well as research and teaching centres related to engineering and agronomy), with the aim of validating the software and producing reports.

Once the data have been obtained, they can be used by organisations and companies in the environmental sector to improve their production processes.

ADVANTAGES AND INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

  • Technological advantages (incorporation of state-of-the-art software into automation and remote-control systems) and economic advantages (the cost of the technology developed is lower than that of competitors) for companies and organisations in the environmental sector. We have a research group with proven scientific results and know-how.
  • Combined offering of customised software technologies. Most similar companies offer more generic technologies.
  • Proximity to the customer.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

Fully operational. The content and tools have already been validated through specialised professional development courses at UMH. The kits are ready for immediate transfer and implementation in educational centres or technical departments of companies.

APPLICATION SECTORS

  • Civil Engineering and Architecture.
  • Agricultural Sector (Irrigation Communities and Reservoir Management).
  • Public Administration (River Basin Authorities and Local Councils).
  • Environmental Consultancy and Natural Hazard Prevention.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Antonio Ruiz Canales – University Institute for Research and Innovation in Agri-Food and Environmental Sciences (CIAGRO)