abstract: The increasingly recurrent extraordinary flood events in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico have led to significant stakeholder interest in understanding the hydrologic response of the Santa Catarina watershed to extreme events. This study analyzes a flood mitigation strategy proposed by stakeholders through a participatory workshop and are assessed using two hydrological models: The Hydrological Modeling System (HEC-HMS) and the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)-based Real-time Integrated Basin Simulator (tRIBS). The stakeholder-derived flood mitigation strategy consists of placing new hydraulic infrastructure in addition to the current flood controls in the basin. This is done by simulating three scenarios: (1) evaluate the impact of the current structure, (2) implementing a large dam similar to the Rompepicos dam and (3) the inclusion of three small detention dams. These mitigation strategies are assessed in the context of a major flood event caused by the landfall of Hurricane Alex in July 2010 through a consistent application of the two modeling tools. To do so, spatial information on topography, soil, land cover and meteorological forcing were assembled, quality-controlled and input into each model. Calibration was performed for each model based on streamflow observations and maximum observed reservoir levels from the National Water Commission in Mexico. Simulation analyses focuses on the differential capability of the two models in capturing the spatial variability in rainfall, topographic conditions, soil hydraulic properties and its effect on the flood response in the presence of the different flood mitigation structures. The implementation of new hydraulic infrastructure is shown to have a positive impact on mitigating the flood peak with a more favorable reduction in the peak at the outlet from the larger dam (16.5% in tRIBS and 23% in HEC-HMS) than the collective effect from the small structures (12% in tRIBS and 10% in HEC-HMS). Furthermore, flood peak mitigation depends strongly on the number and locations of the new dam sites in relation to the spatial distribution of rainfall and flood generation. Comparison of the two modeling approaches complements the analysis of available observations for the flood event and provides a framework within which to derive a multi-model approach for stakeholder-driven solutions. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil and Environmental Engineering 2016

Between 1961 and 1976 Häi Hung province -- present day Häi Duong and Hung Yên -- lost the equivalent of two entire districts of agricultural land. How could so much land be abandoned under a collectivised agriculture system? And what role did poor water control infrastructure play in creating such a situation?¶ I answer these questions by examining the historical patterns of hydraulic development in northern Vietnam from the beginning of the 19th century until the introduction of the Production Contract system in 1981. Underlying both the French colonial and communist visions of modernity and economic development was a belief that improving agricultural productivity, of which large-scale hydraulic infrastructure was an important component, could catalyse growth in the rural economy, which could then finance industrialisation. I argue throughout this thesis that developing large-scale hydraulic infrastructure in the Red River delta has relied upon the creation of a hydraulic bargain between the state and water users. This is in contrast to Wittfogel's theory of the hydraulic state, insofar as developing hydraulic infrastructure has depended upon the active political and economic participation and support of water users, and not the absolute power of the state. The political economic history of the hydraulic bargain highlights the relative power of peasants to influence the direction of large-scale hydraulic development and, as such, the shape of the Red River delta's wet-rice economy.

This article presents the hydraulic space of urban Lima in the 17th century, and the effortsof Lima’s cabildo (city council) to govern it. Based on a detailed analysis of the referencesto water in the Libros de cabildos de Lima from 1588-1700, the management of this naturalresource is examined through close consideration of the infrastructure installed andthe political authorities established. A three-pronged approach considers natural processes,infrastructure, and authorities together, to discuss three case studies: 1) the Rímac river, thelevees, and the levee commissioners, 2) the springs, the drinking water pipeline networkand the pipelines commissioners, and 3) the rains, religious processions, and San Marcelothe “lawyer of the city for the waters.” For each case study, the cabildo’s strategies for waterresource management are evaluated for success or failure. / Este artículo presenta el espacio hidráulico limeño urbano del siglo XVII y los esfuerzos delcabildo de Lima para gobernarlo. Con base en un análisis detallado de las menciones sobreel agua en los Libros de cabildos de Lima de 1588-1700 se examina el manejo de esterecurso natural a través de la instalación de infraestructura y la creación de autoridades políticas.Con una perspectiva tripartita se consideran los procesos naturales, la infraestructuray las autoridades en conjunto para discutir tres casos: 1) el río Rímac, los tajamares y loscomisarios de tajamares, 2) los puquios, la red de cañerías y los comisarios de cañerías,y 3) las lluvias, las procesiones religiosas y San Marcelo el “abogado de la ciudad para lasaguas”. En cada uno de los tres casos se evalúa la efi cacia de las estrategias del cabildopara administrar los recursos hídricos.