UP Diliman, University of Glasgow forges partnership with Mines Bureau for river morphology study

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The University of the Philippines Diliman and University of Glasgow in Scotland has partnered with Mines and Geosciences Bureau in a new research about river morphology and its associated processes that could impact people and infrastructures.

The study will develop a national-scale catchment characteristics database and associated river geometry relations to assess the susceptibility of different catchments to morphological change impacts on flood hazards.Moreover, the study aims to assess flood hazards arising from morphological change associated with variations in sediment supply and the influence of lateral constraints on channel morphological adjustment.

To assess the fluvial and landscape characteristics, the study will use national scale topographic models and repeat satellite imagery.

“To assess flood hazards, project partners will be using high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMS) of the Pinacanauan river and Bacara river from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and bathymetric surveys,” Chad Aquino, c/geologist of MGB ROII said.

“On our part, MGB will be providing data to the researchers such as rain-induced landslide and flood hazard maps, geologic maps, mining/quarry tenements, and other relevant studies that can support the research,” Aquino added.

The project will be studied from November 2018- November 2021 while the locale of the study will be from Pinacanauan river along with Abuan and Bintacan rivers in Ilagan Isabela to Bacarra river in Ilocos Norte.

The findings of the research will guide river and flood management in the Pinacanauan river and Bacarra catchments.

The study will be undertaken by geomatics and fluvial geomorphology experts from UP Diliman and University of Glasgow, respectively.

Along with MGB, UP Diliman and University of Glasgow likewise forged partnership with Professor Gary Brierly of University of Auckland, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Local Government Units of Ilagan City, Isabela and Municipality of Vintar.