Calculation of an Elevation Volume Curve of the water reservoir using GIS

The useful reservoir storage volume calculation and the dam height is the most crucial stage in the hydraulic engineering design, which is carried out based on the Elevation Volume Curve. The traditional method of ploting the Elevation Volume Curve is based on the use of topographic survey, calculating water surface areas and volume of the reservoir by geometry formula. It is difficult to obtain topographic materials for calculations without instrumental survey during pre-design work. The access to instrumental survey is practically impossible during the educational process. The modern development of GIS allows to use a free digital terrain model for calculating the topographic parameters of a reservoir. The Elevation Volume Curves calculation using two software, QGIS and HEC-RAS, based on a free digital terrain model are discussed in the article. These softwares are used in the educational process by masters of the educational program "Hydraulic structures, management of water resources and systems". The comparison of the Elevation Volume Curves obtained by manual calculations based on instrumental topographic survey and by QGIS and HEC-RAS based on a free DEM is performed. The use of modern softwares require additional knowledge and work skills, encourage students to study new information and foreign languages, which contributes to the development of the individual trajectory of the student. Familiarization with the methodology for calculating Elevation Volume Curve will also be useful for bachelors in the discipline "Engineering Hydrology".