Worldwide there is considerable concern over the effects of human activities on the quantity and quality of freshwater. Measurement of infiltration behaviour will be important for improving freshwater management. This study identifies that New Zealand has a sporadic history of measuring soil water movement attributes on a limited number of soil types, although the current practical demand should be large for management of irrigation, dairy farm effluent disposal, as well as municipal / domestic waste- and storm-water disposal. Previous research has demonstrated that infiltration behaviour is governed by the interplay between numerous mechanisms including hydrophobicity and preferential flow, the latter being an important mechanism of contaminant leaching for many NZ soils. Future characterisation will need to recognise the dynamic nature of these interactions, and be able to reliably characterise the key infiltration mechanisms. Since macropores are responsible for preferential flow, it is critical that infiltration studies use a representative sample of the macropore network. The aim of this project was to study the mechanisms governing the infiltration behaviour of a layered soil in large (50 x 70 cm) monolith lysimeters, where the connectivity of the macropore network remains undisturbed. Four lysimeters of the Gorge silt loam were collected, a structured soil with four distinct layers. On each lysimeter there were four separate infiltration experiments, with water applied under suctions of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kPa by a custom-built tension infiltrometer. Each lysimeter was instrumented with 30 tensiometers, located in arrays at the layer boundaries. There was also a field experiment using ponded dye infiltration to visually define preferential flowpaths. Analysis of dye patterns, temporal variability in soil matric potential (Ψm), and solute breakthrough curves all show that preferential flow is an important infiltration mechanism. Preferential flowpaths were activated when Ψm was above -1.5 kPa. During saturated infiltration, at least 97% of drainage was through the ‘mobile’ pore volume of the lysimeter (θm), estimated among the lysimeters at 5.4 – 8.7 % of the lysimeter volume. Early-time infiltration behaviour did not show the classical square-root of time behaviour, indicating sorptivity was not the governing mechanism. This was consistent across the four lysimeters, and during infiltration under different surface imposed suctions. The most likely mechanism restricting sorptivity is weak hydrophobicity, which appears to restrict infiltration for the first 5 – 10 mm of infiltration. Overall, the Gorge soil’s early-time infiltration behaviour is governed by the dynamic interaction between sorptivity, hydrophobicity, the network of air-filled pores, preferential flow and air encapsulation. Long-time infiltration behaviour was intimately linked to the temporal dynamics of Ψm, which was in turn controlled by preferential flow and soil layer interactions. Preferential flowpaths created strong inter-layer connectivity by allowing an irregular wetting front to reach lower layers within 2 – 15 mm of infiltration. Thereafter, layer interactions dominate infiltration for long-time periods, as Ψm in soil layers with different K(Ψm) relationships self-adjusts to try to maintain a constant Darcy velocity. An important finding was that Ψm rarely attained the value set by the tension infiltrometer during unsaturated infiltration. The results show that ‘true’ steady-state infiltration is unlikely to occur in layered soils. A quasi-steady state was identified once the whole column had fully wet and layer interactions had settled to where Ψm changes occurred in unison through each soil layer. Quasi-steady state was difficult to identify from just the cumulative infiltration curve, but more robustly identified as when infiltration matched drainage, and Ψm measurements showed each layer had a stable hydraulic gradient. I conclude that the in-situ hydraulic conductivity, K(Ψm), of individual soil layers can be accurately and meaningfully determined from lysimeter-scale infiltration experiments. My results show that K(Ψm) is different for each soil layer, and that differences are consistent among the four lysimeters. Under saturated flow the subsoil had the lowest conductivity, and was the restricting layer. Most interestingly this pattern reversed during unsaturated flow. As Ψm decreased below -0.5 to -1 kPa, the subsoil was markedly more conductive, and the topsoil layers became the restricting layers. All four soil layers demonstrate a sharp decline in K(Ψm) as Ψm decreases, with a break in slope at ~ -1 kPa indicating the dual-permeability nature of all layers.

New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute / Also published as: Agricultural Engineering Thesis no. 4 / For large areas of New Zealand that suffer from agricultural drought, the only practicable way of providing irrigation is through the use of water harvesting schemes that divert winter flood water in nearby streams into off-stream storages for irrigation use in the summer. A community water harvesting scheme is presently under construction in the Glenmark area of North Canterbury which was designed using traditional methods. The objectives of this thesis were to assess the limitations of traditional design methods for water harvesting schemes using the Glenmark Scheme as a case study and to develop an improved method based on a systems modelling approach. A daily simulation model was developed that incorporated in a realistic way the engineering, hydrologic, agronomic and economic features of importance to the design of water harvesting schemes in New Zealand. The model was used to study the adequacy of the traditional methods used for the design of the Glenmark Scheme; to arrive at alternative design solutions that achieved higher levels of engineering, agronomic and economic efficiency; and to develop a better understanding of the nature of complex water harvesting systems. It was demonstrated that compounding conservatism inherent in traditional design methods resulted in scheme overdesign and that the ability of the systems model to capture the essential dynamics of the system allowed higher levels of design performance to be achieved. The experience gained in the use of the systems model led to the development of a formalised design procedure for water harvesting schemes that represents an advance on methods hitherto available.

Concern has been expressed regarding the impacts of climate change on the hydroecology of the Mackenzie Delta, thus identifying a need for better understanding of the ice break-up regime. Archived records at hydrometric stations in the delta for the period 1974 to 2006, supplemented with observations and remotely sensed imagery, are used to assemble a break-up chronology and examine spatial and temporal patterns of break-up flooding. Hydroclimatic controls on break-up are assessed by statistical, qualitative, and trend analysis of upstream discharge and downstream ice characteristics. For the most severe break-up flooding, two event types are identified: ice-driven events, with high backwater and high peak levels in the southern, eastern and western delta, and discharge-driven events, with high levels in the mid and outer delta and along Middle Channel. Break-up initiation during ice (discharge) events occurs earlier (later) than the delta average. Severity of break-up water levels is most influenced by upstream discharge, while timing is related to ice conditions and spring hydrograph rise. Rapid upstream melt and lower intensity melt in the delta prior to break-up characterize the most severe events. Trend analysis reveals a tendency toward earlier break-up, a longer prebreak-up melt interval, and a lower magnitude of hydroclimatic controls.

Hydrological data extracted directly from Water Survey of Canada archives covering the 1913-2002 time period is used to assess river ice break-up in the Mackenzie River basin. A return-period analysis indicates that 13 (14) of 28 sites in the basin are dominated by peak water-levels occurring during the spring break-up (open-water) period. One location has a mixed signal. A map of flooding regimes is discussed in terms of physical, hydrological and climatic controls. Annual break-up is found to progress from south to north, over a period representing ~¼ of the year. Average annual duration is ~8 weeks. The at site break-up period, recognized as the most dynamic time of the year on cold-regions river systems is found to last from 4 days to 4 weeks. Break-up timing (1966-1995) is found to be occurring earlier in the western portions of the basin (~3 days/decade), concurrent with late 20th century warming.

There are two main subjects in this thesis: the first one deals with the numerical simulation of shallow water equations, the other one is the resolution of some problems in image processingThe first part of this dissertation is devoted to the shallow waters. We propose a combined scheme which uses the Marquina's double flux decomposition (extended to the non homogeneous case) when adjacent states are not close and a single decomposition otherwise. This combined scheme satisfies the exact C property. Furthermore, we propose a special treatment of the numerical scheme at dry zones.The second subject is the digital simulation of the Day for Night (or American Night in Europe). The proposed algorithm simulates a night image coming from a day image and considers some aspects of night perception. In order to simulate the loss of visual acuity we introduce a partial differential equation that simulates the spatial summation principle of the photoreceptors in the retina.The gap restoration (inpainting) on surfaces is the object of the third part. For that, we propose some geometrical approaches based on the mean curvature. Then, we also use two interpolation methods: the resolution of the Laplace equation, and an Absolutely Minimizing Lipschitz Extension (AMLE). Finally, we solve the restoration problem of satellite images. The variational problem that we propose manages to do irregular to regular sampling, denoising, deconvolution and zoom at the same time. / Los temas tratados en esta tesis son, por un lado, la simulación numérica de las ecuaciones de aguas someras ("shallow waters") y por otro, la resolución de algunos problemas de procesamiento de imágenes. En la primera parte de la tesis, dedicada a las aguas someras, proponemos un esquema combinado que usa la técnica de doble descomposición de flujos de Marquina (extendida al caso no homogéneo) cuando los dos estados adyacentes no están próximos y una única descomposición en caso contrario. El esquema combinado verifica la propiedad C exacta. Por otro lado, proponemos un tratamiento especial en las zonas secas.El segundo tema tratado es la simulación digital de la Noche Americana ("Day for Night"). El algoritmo propuesto simula una imagen nocturna a partir de una imagen diurna considerando varios aspectos de la percepción visual nocturna. Para simular la pérdida de agudeza visual se propone una ecuación en derivadas parciales que simula el principio de sumación espacial de los fotoreceptores situados en la retina.La restauración de agujeros ("inpainting") en superficies es objeto de la tercera parte. Para ello se proponen varios enfoques geométricos basados en la curvatura media. También se utilizan dos métodos de interpolación: la resolución de la ecuación de Laplace y el método AMLE (Absolutely Minimization Lipschitz Extension).Por último, tratamos la restauración de imágenes satelitales. El método propuesto consigue obtener una colección de muestras regulares a partir de un muestreo irregular, eliminando a la vez el ruido, deconvolucinando la imagen y haciendo un zoom.

Worldwide there is considerable concern over the effects of human activities on the quantity and quality of freshwater. Measurement of infiltration behaviour will be important for improving freshwater management. This study identifies that New Zealand has a sporadic history of measuring soil water movement attributes on a limited number of soil types, although the current practical demand should be large for management of irrigation, dairy farm effluent disposal, as well as municipal / domestic waste- and storm-water disposal. Previous research has demonstrated that infiltration behaviour is governed by the interplay between numerous mechanisms including hydrophobicity and preferential flow, the latter being an important mechanism of contaminant leaching for many NZ soils. Future characterisation will need to recognise the dynamic nature of these interactions, and be able to reliably characterise the key infiltration mechanisms. Since macropores are responsible for preferential flow, it is critical that infiltration studies use a representative sample of the macropore network. The aim of this project was to study the mechanisms governing the infiltration behaviour of a layered soil in large (50 x 70 cm) monolith lysimeters, where the connectivity of the macropore network remains undisturbed. Four lysimeters of the Gorge silt loam were collected, a structured soil with four distinct layers. On each lysimeter there were four separate infiltration experiments, with water applied under suctions of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kPa by a custom-built tension infiltrometer. Each lysimeter was instrumented with 30 tensiometers, located in arrays at the layer boundaries. There was also a field experiment using ponded dye infiltration to visually define preferential flowpaths. Analysis of dye patterns, temporal variability in soil matric potential (Ψm), and solute breakthrough curves all show that preferential flow is an important infiltration mechanism. Preferential flowpaths were activated when Ψm was above -1.5 kPa. During saturated infiltration, at least 97% of drainage was through the ‘mobile’ pore volume of the lysimeter (θm), estimated among the lysimeters at 5.4 – 8.7 % of the lysimeter volume. Early-time infiltration behaviour did not show the classical square-root of time behaviour, indicating sorptivity was not the governing mechanism. This was consistent across the four lysimeters, and during infiltration under different surface imposed suctions. The most likely mechanism restricting sorptivity is weak hydrophobicity, which appears to restrict infiltration for the first 5 – 10 mm of infiltration. Overall, the Gorge soil’s early-time infiltration behaviour is governed by the dynamic interaction between sorptivity, hydrophobicity, the network of air-filled pores, preferential flow and air encapsulation. Long-time infiltration behaviour was intimately linked to the temporal dynamics of Ψm, which was in turn controlled by preferential flow and soil layer interactions. Preferential flowpaths created strong inter-layer connectivity by allowing an irregular wetting front to reach lower layers within 2 – 15 mm of infiltration. Thereafter, layer interactions dominate infiltration for long-time periods, as Ψm in soil layers with different K(Ψm) relationships self-adjusts to try to maintain a constant Darcy velocity. An important finding was that Ψm rarely attained the value set by the tension infiltrometer during unsaturated infiltration. The results show that ‘true’ steady-state infiltration is unlikely to occur in layered soils. A quasi-steady state was identified once the whole column had fully wet and layer interactions had settled to where Ψm changes occurred in unison through each soil layer. Quasi-steady state was difficult to identify from just the cumulative infiltration curve, but more robustly identified as when infiltration matched drainage, and Ψm measurements showed each layer had a stable hydraulic gradient. I conclude that the in-situ hydraulic conductivity, K(Ψm), of individual soil layers can be accurately and meaningfully determined from lysimeter-scale infiltration experiments. My results show that K(Ψm) is different for each soil layer, and that differences are consistent among the four lysimeters. Under saturated flow the subsoil had the lowest conductivity, and was the restricting layer. Most interestingly this pattern reversed during unsaturated flow. As Ψm decreased below -0.5 to -1 kPa, the subsoil was markedly more conductive, and the topsoil layers became the restricting layers. All four soil layers demonstrate a sharp decline in K(Ψm) as Ψm decreases, with a break in slope at ~ -1 kPa indicating the dual-permeability nature of all layers.

The present work is a contribution to description and understanding of the distribution and movement of water in swelling soils. In order to investigate the moisture distribution in swelling soils a detailed knowledge of volume change properties, flow characteristics and total potential of water in the soil is essential. Therefore, a possible volume change mechanism is first described by dividing the swelling soils into four categories and volume change of a swelling soil is measured under different overburden pressures. The measured and calculated (from volume change data) overburden potential components are used to check the validity of the derivation of a load factor, ∝. Moisture diffusivity in swelling soil under different overburden pressures is measured using Gardner's (1956) outflow method. Behaviour of equilibrium moisture profiles in swelling soils is theoretically explained, solving the differential equation by considering the physical variation of individual soil properties with moisture content and overburden pressure. Using the measured volume change data and moisture potentials under various overburden pressures, the behaviour of possible moisture profiles are described at equilibrium and under steady vertical flows in swelling soils. It is shown that high overburden pressures lead to soil water behaviour quite different from any previously reported.

Concern has been expressed regarding the impacts of climate change on the hydroecology of the Mackenzie Delta, thus identifying a need for better understanding of the ice break-up regime. Archived records at hydrometric stations in the delta for the period 1974 to 2006, supplemented with observations and remotely sensed imagery, are used to assemble a break-up chronology and examine spatial and temporal patterns of break-up flooding. Hydroclimatic controls on break-up are assessed by statistical, qualitative, and trend analysis of upstream discharge and downstream ice characteristics. For the most severe break-up flooding, two event types are identified: ice-driven events, with high backwater and high peak levels in the southern, eastern and western delta, and discharge-driven events, with high levels in the mid and outer delta and along Middle Channel. Break-up initiation during ice (discharge) events occurs earlier (later) than the delta average. Severity of break-up water levels is most influenced by upstream discharge, while timing is related to ice conditions and spring hydrograph rise. Rapid upstream melt and lower intensity melt in the delta prior to break-up characterize the most severe events. Trend analysis reveals a tendency toward earlier break-up, a longer prebreak-up melt interval, and a lower magnitude of hydroclimatic controls.

La crue de 1910 de la Seine a eu une incidence directe sur le fonctionnement des différents réseaux (réseau électrique, assainissement des eaux usées, transport, eau potable). Le réseau RATP a été particulièrement atteint dans son fonctionnement. Les dommages qu’une crue centennale pourrait engendrer aujourd’hui risquent d’être plus importants encore car le réseau actuel est plus vulnérable du fait des nombreux équipements électriques et informatiques qu’il comporte. La majorité des émergences (les entrées d’eau) de la RATP est située en zone inondable. Lors d’une crue majeure de la Seine, les écoulements dus aux inondations se propagent directement dans la partie souterraine et centrale du réseau (Métro et RER) par le biais de ces émergences. Cette thèse s'intéresse à la simulation hydrodynamique des écoulements dans le réseau RATP en utilisant le logiciel MIKE URBAN dédié à la modélisation des réseaux d’assainissement. Cette modélisation nécessite une bonne connaissance de l’origine des écoulements pour mieux les prendre en compte. En effet, le réseau RATP est inondé par les eaux superficielles et les eaux d’infiltration. Afin de mieux quantifier les volumes entrants dans le réseau, un modèle physique d’une bouche de métro type a été réalisé. Les résultats des essais physiques ont permis de valider un modèle numérique qui caractérise les écoulements autour d’une bouche de métro et quantifie les volumes entrants. Cela a permis également de proposer une formule théorique de débit tenant compte de la géométrie d’une bouche de métro. Les écoulements par infiltration sont quant à eux modélisés en fonction de la charge de la nappe et validés avec des mesures in situ. Ce travail de recherche a comme objectif d’améliorer et valider un modèle de simulation. Il s’agit de mettre en œuvre un outil opérationnel d’aide à la décision qui permettra à la cellule inondation de la RATP de bien comprendre le fonctionnement de son réseau afin d’améliorer son plan de protection contre le risque inondation. / The 1910 flood of the Seine had a direct impact on the functioning of the different networks (Electricity network, sewerage, transport, water distribution). The RATP network was particularly affected in its functioning. The damage that centennial flood could cause today may be even greater because the current network is more vulnerable because of the numerous electrical and computer equipment that it comprises. The majority of the emergences (The water ingress) of the RATP is located in flood areas. During a major flooding of the Seine, the flows due to the floods propagate directly into the underground and central part of the network (Metro and RER) through these emergences. This thesis is interested in a hydrodynamic simulation by MIKE URBAN, Model used to model the RATP network due to its MOUSE engine developed by DHI for the sewerage networks. This work also presents the results obtained on a physical model of a subway station. The experimental data were used to model water ingress within the RATP network from the subway station. Network protection against infiltration requires a thorough knowledge of underground flow conditions. Infiltrations through the tunnels are estimated numerically. The aim of this research is to improve and validate a simulation model. It is a question of implementing an operational decision support tool which will allow the flood cell of the RATP to understand the functioning of its network in order to improve its flood risk protection plan.

The economic and social losses of environmental disasters are increasingly higher. Floods are a main concern in many locations around the world. Preventive actions are urgent and necessary. This doctoral thesis addresses topics related to hydro-meteorological risks and water resources management. Its aim is to cope with hydrological risks and water resources management through a flooding risk index, complex watershed modeling, different calibration techniques, and ensemble streamflow forecasting. Specific assumptions and research questions are defined in each chapter of the thesis, and are mostly related to the 12,600 km2 Piracicaba watershed, in Southeast, Brazil. Chapter one has general introductions and explains how the thesis is organized. Chapter two brings an assessment and mapping of flooding risks. Chapter three reviews the watershed modelling topic, through applications of a selected watershed model (the Soil and Water Assessment Tool - SWAT) in Brazil. Chapter four proposes a good practice methodology for calibration of watershed models for different time-steps with available data, having hydrology as main focus. Chapter five explores different methodologies for calibrating hydrological models, using two optimization algorithms and with a multi-site and single site approaches to evaluate related changes in performance. Chapter six has complex watershed modeling for sub-daily time-step, with an automatic hourly calibration module that was included in SWAT-CUP and the application of these models to forecast ensemble streamflow and with a data assimilation approach with optimization to improve the quality of the forecasts. Chapter seven has overall conclusions and chapter eight has a summarized list of other activities developed during the doctoral process. Overall we believe the methodologies and results for the Piracicaba watershed are very good. And that they can be replicated in other watersheds in Brazil and around the world. The proposed mapping assessments of flooding vulnerability and risks can be applied for the entire Brazil, and could be used as a tool in water resources management and planning. The watershed model (SWAT) used on this doctoral thesis also proved to be a versatile and robust model, with several good example applications in Brazil, and in particular for the Piracicaba case study. The step by step calibration methodology, as well as the different calibrations performed can help other modelers on choosing where and how to calibrate their own models. For hourly application, this work is pioneer, in area scale and model used. The results for ensemble flow forecasting and data assimilation show a little of what can be performed with this kind of application, and that it can be a potential tool for real time applications in streamflow forecasting and early warning systems. We believe the lessons learnt in this thesis can improve and aid modeler and water resources managers worldwide. / Os prejuízos econômicos e sociais de desastres ambientais têm sido maiores. Inundações são uma das principais preocupações ao redor do mundo. Ações preventivas são urgentes e necessárias. Esta tese de doutorado aborda temas relacionados à gestão dos recursos hídricos e de riscos hidro-meteorológicos. Possui o objetivo de lidar com riscos hidrológicos através de índices de risco a inundações, modelagem complexa de bacias hidrográficas, diferentes técnicas de calibração, e previsão de vazões por conjunto. Pressupostos e objetivos específicos são definidos em cada capítulo da tese, e são na sua maioria relacionados à bacia hidrográfica do Rio Piracicaba (12.600 km2), Sudeste do Brasil. O Capítulo um traz as introduções gerais e explica a organização da tese. O capítulo dois desenvolve mapeamento de riscos a inundações. O capítulo três revisa o tópico de modelagem de bacias hidrográficas, através de aplicações de um modelo selecionado (Soil and Water Assessment Tool - SWAT) no Brasil. O quarto capítulo propõe uma metodologia de boas práticas para a calibração de modelos de bacias hidrográficas utilizando dados disponíveis, com foco principal na hidrologia. O capítulo cinco explora diferentes metodologias de calibração, utilizando dois algoritmos de otimização e abordagens de calibração em um local e demais locais para avaliar alterações relacionadas ao desempenho da modelagem. O capítulo seis trabalha com modelagem sub-diária, com um módulo de calibração horária automática, que foi incluído no SWAT-CUP, e aplicação destes modelos para previsão de vazões por conjunto e assimilação de dados com otimização, para melhorar a qualidade das previsões. O sétimo capítulo traz as conclusões gerais da tese e oitavo capítulo apresenta uma lista resumida de outras atividades desenvolvidas durante o doutorado. Acreditamos que as metodologias e resultados para a bacia hidrográfica Piracicaba são muito bons. E que podem ser replicados em outras bacias hidrográficas no Brasil e ao redor do mundo. O mapeamento de vulnerabilidade e riscos de inundação propostos pode ser aplicados para todo o Brasil, além de possuir potencial como uma ferramenta de planejamento. O modelo utilizado (SWAT) também provou ser versátil e robusto, com vários bons exemplos de aplicações no Brasil, e em especial para a Bacia do Piracicaba. A metodologia sistemática para calibração, bem como as diferentes calibrações executadas podem auxiliar outros modeladores a escolherem como calibrar seus próprios modelos. Este trabalho é pioneiro no tipo de aplicação horária apresentada. Os resultados de previsão por conjunto de vazões e de assimilação de dados mostram o potencial da metodologia para sistemas de previsão de vazões em tempo real e em sistemas de alerta antecipado. Nós acreditamos que as lições aprendidas nesta tese podem auxiliar modeladores e gestores de recursos hídricos ao redor do mundo.