The main objective of this hands-on course is to introduce students to the principles and methods of hydrological modelling. Methods used for calculating components of the rainfall-runoff process will be explained, such as snow accumulation and snowmelt, evapotranspiration, soil moisture and groundwater storage. Students will have the opportunity to set up and code their own models to simulate the selected components of the water cycle (mostly in R and MS Excel). We will also use existing models that are widely used in hydrological research. Models will be calibrated using observed data, and the main methodological approaches to parameter optimisation will be explained and tested. Students will also work on a specific research topic, for example, modelling the impact of climate change on the water cycle.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (23.07.2025)
Upozornění: kurz je vyučován v angličtině.
Přednáška si klade za cíl seznámit posluchače se základními principy a postupy hydrologického modelování. Během přednášky budou posluchači seznámeni s teoretickými aspekty a metodami modelování hydrologických procesů a zároveň budou mít možnost si pomocí programovacího jazyka R a MS Excel programovat vlastní modely jednotlivých komponent s-o procesu a ověřovat je na experimentálně měřených datech. Stejně tak budou mít možnost pracovat s již existujícími nástroji vyvinutými jak pro výpočet vybraných komponent s-o procesu, tak pro celkovou simulaci s-o procesu. Přednáška je určena primárně studentům magisterského studia. Studenti by již měli mít základní znalosti z hydrologie a uživatelskou znalost MS Excel a ArcGIS.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (23.07.2025)
Literature -
Becker, A., Serban P. (1990): Hydrological models for water - resources system design and operation. Operational Hydrology Report No. 34, WMO, Geneva.
Beven K. J. (2001): Rainfall-Runoff modelling, The Primer. John Wiley & Sons Chichester.
Beven K.J. (2009): Environmental Modelling: An Uncertain Future? Taylor & Francis.
Bízek, V., Foltýn, I., Helová, S., Jeníček, M., Koblížková, E., Kodešová, R., Mertl, J., Nesměrák, I., Nondek, L., Ratinger, T. (2011): Aplikace modelů v oblasti životního prostředí. CENIA, Praha.
Maidment, D. R. (1993): Handbook of Hydrology. McGraw-Hill, New York
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (15.12.2019)
Becker, A., Serban P. (1990): Hydrological models for water - resources system design and operation. Operational Hydrology Report No. 34, WMO, Geneva.
Beven K. J. (2001): Rainfall-Runoff modelling, The Primer. John Wiley & Sons Chichester.
Beven K.J. (2009): Environmental Modelling: An Uncertain Future? Taylor & Francis.
Bízek, V., Foltýn, I., Helová, S., Jeníček, M., Koblížková, E., Kodešová, R., Mertl, J., Nesměrák, I., Nondek, L., Ratinger, T. (2011): Aplikace modelů v oblasti životního prostředí. CENIA, Praha.
Maidment, D. R. (1993): Handbook of Hydrology. McGraw-Hill, New York
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (15.12.2019)
Requirements to the exam -
Course credit: attendance on practical parts of the lecture, elaboration of the computer-based project on a given topic
Exam: oral examination (discussion on elaborated computer-based projects). The course credit (accepted homework projects) are required before the examination.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
Zápočet: účast na cvičeních, zpracování a prezentace miniprojektu na zadané téma
Zkouška: ústní, formou diskuze nad různými tématy týkající se modelování. Podmínkou vykonání zkoušky je splněný zápočet.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
Syllabus -
All information (data, presentations, announcements, chat) will be available in Google Classroom e-learning room (contact Michal Jenicek for invitation)
1. 10. 2025: Introduction Hydrological model and its structure, model classification, model calibration and validation. (M. Jeníček)
8. 10. 2025: HBV I Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Catchment structure, data preparation, model setup (M. Jeníček)
15. 10. 2025: HBV II Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Model calibration using genetic algorithm procedure, model validation (M. Jeníček)
22. 10. 2025: HBV III Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Climate change scenarios, impact simulation, results analysis (M. Jeníček)
29. 10. 2025: HBV IV Interactive Learning in Hydrological Modelling With a Web-Based Tool (Johnmark N. Acheampong)
5. 11. 2025: Evapotranspiration modelling – Potential evapotranspiration Radiation balance, Evaporation measurements, Derivation of fundamental equations, Development of air temperature, radiation budget and combined approach models in Excel environment. Models calibration and validation using measured data. (V. Šípek)
12. 11. 2025: Evapotranspiration modelling – Actual evapotranspiration Photosynthesis, Transpiration measurements, Interception, Description of possible approaches of AET modelling. Creating evapotranspiration models based on the soil wetness and empirical coefficients. (V. Šípek)
19. 11. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – conceptual models Soil moisture data collection and related runoff generation processes. Use of three conceptual models to simulate subsurface flow and soil moisture budget. (V. Šípek)
26. 11. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – conceptual models Soil moisture data collection and related runoff generation processes. Use of three conceptual models to simulate subsurface flow and soil moisture budget. (V. Šípek)
3. 12. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – physically based models Soil matric potential, Retention curve. Setting up a physically based model (HYDRUS-1D) for a flow movement in a porous media. Model calibration and validation using measured data. (V. Šípek)
10. 12. 2025: Modelling snow accumulation and snowmelt I Energy-based models and degree-day models of snow; theoretical introduction. Creating 1) Excel-based and 2) R-based models of snow accumulation and snowmelt based on a degree-day approach. Calibration and validation of the model using measured data. (M. Jeníček)
17. 12. 2025: Modelling snow accumulation and snowmelt II Energy-based models and degree-day models of snow; theoretical introduction. Creating 1) Excel-based and 2) R-based models of snow accumulation and snowmelt based on a degree-day approach. Calibration and validation of the model using measured data. (M. Jeníček)
7. 1. 2026: Students’ projects flash talks, open discussion
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
All information (data, presentations, announcements, chat) will be available in Google Classroom e-learning room (contact Michal Jenicek for invitation)
1. 10. 2025: Introduction Hydrological model and its structure, model classification, model calibration and validation. (M. Jeníček)
8. 10. 2025: HBV I Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Catchment structure, data preparation, model setup (M. Jeníček)
15. 10. 2025: HBV II Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Model calibration using genetic algorithm procedure, model validation (M. Jeníček)
22. 10. 2025: HBV III Modelling the impact of climate change on catchment runoff. Climate change scenarios, impact simulation, results analysis (M. Jeníček)
29. 10. 2025: HBV IV Interactive Learning in Hydrological Modelling With a Web-Based Tool (Johnmark N. Acheampong)
5. 11. 2025: Evapotranspiration modelling – Potential evapotranspiration Radiation balance, Evaporation measurements, Derivation of fundamental equations, Development of air temperature, radiation budget and combined approach models in Excel environment. Models calibration and validation using measured data. (V. Šípek)
12. 11. 2025: Evapotranspiration modelling – Actual evapotranspiration Photosynthesis, Transpiration measurements, Interception, Description of possible approaches of AET modelling. Creating evapotranspiration models based on the soil wetness and empirical coefficients. (V. Šípek)
19. 11. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – conceptual models Soil moisture data collection and related runoff generation processes. Use of three conceptual models to simulate subsurface flow and soil moisture budget. (V. Šípek)
26. 11. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – conceptual models Soil moisture data collection and related runoff generation processes. Use of three conceptual models to simulate subsurface flow and soil moisture budget. (V. Šípek)
3. 12. 2025: Modelling of the soil moisture content – physically based models Soil matric potential, Retention curve. Setting up a physically based model (HYDRUS-1D) for a flow movement in a porous media. Model calibration and validation using measured data. (V. Šípek)
10. 12. 2025: Modelling snow accumulation and snowmelt I Energy-based models and degree-day models of snow; theoretical introduction. Creating 1) Excel-based and 2) R-based models of snow accumulation and snowmelt based on a degree-day approach. Calibration and validation of the model using measured data. (M. Jeníček)
17. 12. 2025: Modelling snow accumulation and snowmelt II Energy-based models and degree-day models of snow; theoretical introduction. Creating 1) Excel-based and 2) R-based models of snow accumulation and snowmelt based on a degree-day approach. Calibration and validation of the model using measured data. (M. Jeníček)
7. 1. 2026: Students’ projects flash talks, open discussion
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
Learning outcomes -
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
explain the main principles of modelling hydrological processes;
calculate individual components of the water cycle;
set up their own models of the specific hydrological component and use them for a defined purpose;
adopt methods for model calibration and validation, parameter optimisation, and understand the model limitations and uncertainties.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.09.2025)
Na konci kurzu by účastníci měli být schopni:
vysvětlit hlavní principy modelování hydrologických procesů;
znát vybrané metody pro výpočet jednotlivých složek vodního cyklu;
vytvářet vlastní modely jednotlivých komponent srážko-odtokového procesu a použít je pro definovaný účel;
adoptovat metody pro kalibraci a validaci modelů, optimalizaci parametrů a porozumět nejistotám hydrologického modelování.
Last update: Jeníček Michal, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.09.2025)
