Psycology in Water Related Project

Pyschology is a science which study the behaviour and thinking of individual or groups. This science seems unrelated with water projects but today I learned that this science is important.

Currently, I am handling a flood mitigation projet with total cost of  USD 2.4 million. We have a technical meeting to disscuss about which available options that can be implemented in this project.

Python

Programming languages are something important in our digital era nowadays. After I did a little research on what kind of programming languages that I should learn. The answer is PYTHON. Therefore, I dedicate a special page in my blog to discuss and elaborate about python on how we can master this programming language effectively.

The first question came into my mind is why Python? These are the reason why I choose Python:
1. Python is high level programming language. We don't need to make variables or argument declarations. It is straight-forward coding.
2. You don't have to do a coding from scratch. Some people certainly have developed it for you. What you have to do is revising it and update to suit your intention.

Ok, lets start with tools you need to have to run python. It depends on what kind of operating system you have, it will slightly difference the methodology. Most of programmers they prefer to use Linux which could be true. Myself use Linux, it is usually I am working using company PC which is not allow to install any softwre without permission from IT department. Therefore, I installed Virtual Machine using Linux to explore Python.
1. Install Python
No need. Linux already bring along the python.
2. Environment
So, you have language (i.e. python) but you cannot use it until you have environment or place to understand the language. I use miniconda, the mini version of anaconda.

To install miniconda:
donwload the file from https://conda.io/miniconda.html
open your terminal and direct to download folder
cd donwload/ and install it

Regional Flood Frequency Analysis

Regional Flood Frequency Analysis (RFFA) is one of methods which commonly used to determine design floods in rural areas. The example of utilising this method is for designing water-related structures such bridges, regulators, and dams.

Probability Distribution of Annual Maximum Streamflow

Two major steps in creating RFFA are: (1) determine the homogeneity regions (2) produce a frequency curve. Both of these steps need statistical analysis specifically probability distributions.

Among many method of RFFA, Index Flood Method initiated by Darlymple (1960) is the famous one. He proposed that homogeneity region is based on recurrence interval of 10 years and probability distribution using EV 1 with method of moment (MOM). United States of Geological Survey (USGS) is also adopting this method in their standard procedures.

To do this analysis, the first step is collecting the data. The importance data needed are as follows:

1. Annual Peak Flow
Annual peak flow or Maximum Annual Flood (AMAX) usually can be collected from water authority. This is a peak daily discharge within a year. The data was derived from rating curves of water levels and flow measurement. It is important therefore to check the raw data and plot them together so we can get the sense of the quality of the data.

The data must be random and independent. If the peak discharges are getting higher and higher over the years. This is an indication that we cannot use this data. Probably due to rapid development or control structures have been built in the catchment area.

2. Annual Rainfall
Annual rainfall is a cumulative of rainfall within a year. Similar to flow data, the rainfall data should have not a trend over the years. If the data higher from time to time or vice verse then it cannot be used as it was not independent anymore.

3. Catchment Area
Catchment area is the most significant parameter in determining the peak flow. Other factors such as slope, altitute, may also contribute to rising flow significantly. However, adding more parameters which make formula much complicated and the results are significantly improved, it is better to take the simple one but still represent the reality.