Environmental Hydrology Laboratory

In celebration of World Water Day and the 23rd anniversary of the UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), the Environmental Hydrology Laboratory successfully conducted Waterbending 101: A Training Workshop Series on Environmental Hydrology on 24–25 March 2026 at UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, Quezon City.

The two-day workshop introduced participants to key tools, concepts, and applications commonly used in environmental hydrology and water resources research. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers, and individuals interested in hydrological sciences, the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of water systems and expose them to practical analytical and modeling approaches used in research and environmental management.

Day 1 of the workshop focused on foundational techniques in geospatial analysis and numerical simulation through the sessions:

• Introductory Remote Sensing for Water Resources Management

• Basics of Numerical Modeling and its Application in Dispersion Modeling

Participants were introduced to the use of remote sensing and modeling approaches in analyzing environmental and water-related processes, highlighting their applications in watershed assessment and environmental monitoring.

On Day 2, the workshop shifted toward flood analysis and hydraulic modeling through the sessions:

• Introductory HEC-RAS for Floodplain Mapping

• Flood and Inundation Modeling with Delft3D

These sessions provided participants with introductory experience in floodplain mapping and inundation modeling, demonstrating how hydrologic and hydraulic tools can support the assessment of flood hazards and contribute to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience planning.

The workshop series also highlighted the growing importance of modeling and data-driven approaches in understanding and addressing water-related challenges in the Philippines. Through lectures, demonstrations, and discussions, participants were able to engage with concepts relevant to watershed management, flood risk assessment, and sustainable water resources management.