Hydroinformatics and Coastal Waters ManagementFor many countries their coastal waters are an important source of fisheries, recreation, and protection as well as opportunities for transport and communications. They can however be a source of danger and damage from flooding and waves, and can be particularly difficult to manage in terms of water quality and the morphology of coasts. Cities are often built in coastal regions, where there are good locations for ports and harbours. Waves, currents, tides and storm surges provide a complex mix of circumstances that have to be both appreciated and taken into account in the planning and design of coastal facilities. Hydroinformatics is concerned with the flow of information involved in a decision making process associated with particular issues in integrated water management. As such it makes extensive use of computational modelling of flow of water in the aquatic environment and the consequences for everything conveyed and affected by such flow. Therefore hydroinformatics addresses such issues as the complex interaction between waves and currents and their effects on coastal morphology, or the generation and forecasting of storm generated surges, the dispersion of pollutants from outfalls, the design and operation of barrages, the dredging and maintenance of shipping channels, the design of seawalls to limit overtopping, and the location and maximisation of power generating facilities from waves. But hydroinformatics is interested in more than just modelling. It is concerned with the presentation and interpretation of the results from complex 2D and 3D models, the links with remote sensing, data mining on extensive databases to discover patterns in morphological development, and linking stakeholders to address issues of planning, ecological development, tourism, fisheries etc. A good example of the latest state in the development of hydroinformatics is its role in conceiving, designing and implementing the bridge and tunnel connection between Denmark and Sweden. The latest modelling tools were used to predict currents in conjunction with remote sensing and monitoring. A particular communication system was devised to take into account and keep informed a number of active stakeholders in the construction process. Eco-systems were preserved and costs were reduced. See Thorkilsen and Dynesen (2001) An owner's view of hydroinformatics: its role in realising the bridge and tunnel connection between Denmark and Sweden, J. of Hydroinformatics, Vol 3, Issue 2, April Some recent IHE MScs in hydroinformatics have included: A finite difference model for simulation of short wave behaviour
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