A compilation of current training courses related to streamgaging is now available from the Office of Surface Water. For each course listed, the course code for DOI Learn is provided for easy lookup (you must register through http://www.doi.gov/doilearn/index.cfm. Additional information for each course includes the type of training available, and whether it is instructor led, available online, or as a podcast. An effort has been made to provide a recommended priority for each course, as well as a timeline for when a streamgager should receive such training during their career. The list is meant to assist supervisors and streamgagers in developing training plans specific to the work in their Center as well as individual career goals. While none of these courses are considered to be mandatory by OSW, those classes listed under the Priority column as "Highly recommended" are considered critical training for individuals tasked with running streamgages for the USGS. Inquire with your Water Science Field Team Surface-Water Specialist about offerings of specific instructor led classes, as some are held at both regional and national levels.
*The NTC is in the process of creating a detailed SW course list. Until the list is posted, please contact Gloria Armstrong (gtarmstr@usgs.gov) for specific course information.
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USGS course name
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USGS course number (course code in DOI Learn catalog)
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Type of training
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Duration of training
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Priority
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Recommended timeline
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Remarks
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Highly recommended for all regions
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Highly recommended dependent on regional conditions
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Advanced training
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Optional-speciality dependent
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Overview of Data Collection at Gaging Stations (audio speakers required)
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--
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On-Line
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20 minutes
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X
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First days
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Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4120, available at http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/sws/SWTraining/DataAtGagingStations/index.htm
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Surface Water Procedures and Policy
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SW1660
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On-Line
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6 hours
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X
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First weeks
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Measurement of Stream Discharge by Wading (includes FlowTracker module)
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SW1271
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On-Line
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2 hours
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X
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First weeks
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Cableway Safety - Pre-use Inspection
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--
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On-Line
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1 hour
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X
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First month (if using cableways)
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Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4038, available at http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/sws/SWTraining/cableways/index.html
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Procedures for Running Levels at Gaging Stations
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SW1683
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On-Line
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2 hours
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X
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First 6 months
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Stream Discharge Measurements From Cableways
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SW4292
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On-Line
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2 hours
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X
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First 6 months (if using cableways)
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Stream Discharge Measurements Under Ice Cover
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SW4288
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On-Line
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2 hours
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X
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First 6 months (in cold climates)
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Introduction to Streamgaging--Blended
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SW1749
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Instructor led
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4 days
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X
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First 6 months
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Blended learning class with prerequisites SW1660 and SW1683.
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Streamflow Measurements using ADCP's (SonTek/RDI)
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SW1321
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Instructor Led
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5 days
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X
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First year
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Required training for anyone using ADCPs as per OSW TM 2002.02. Held throughout nation at WSCs about 3 to 5 times a year.
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Mastering the WinRiver II Measurement Wizard with a Rio Grande
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--
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On-Line Podcast
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15 minutes
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1321
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Prerequisite SW1321. Available at http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/wrii.meas.wizard.shtml
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Using Extrap to Determine Proper Extrapolation Methods, Part 1 - General Overview
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--
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On-Line Podcast
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20 minutes
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1321
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Prerequisite SW1321. Available at a href="http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/extrap.intro.shtml">http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/extrap.intro.shtml
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Using Extrap to Determine Proper Extrapolation Methods, Part 2 - Practical Examples
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--
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On-Line Podcast
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20 minutes
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1321
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Prerequisite SW1321. Available at http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/extrap.examples.shtml
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Using ADCPs in Moving Bed Conditions
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SW3507
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On-Line
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~ 4 hours
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1321
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Prerequisite SW1321
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Surface-Water Records Computation (Stage-Discharge)
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SW1286
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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First 2 years
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Held at NTC about twice a year, also held regionally. Hands on record working that includes developing ratings using GRSAT.
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Surface-Water Records Computation Using the Index-Velocity Method
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SW1319
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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First 2 years (if running index-velocity gages)
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Held at NTC annually
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Selecting ADVM Measurement Volumes (Podcast)
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--
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On-Line
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20 minutes
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1319
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Prerequisite SW1319. Available at http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/advm.measurement.volume.podcast.shtml
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Programming SonTek ADVMs (Podcast)
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--
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On-Line
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20 minutes
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X
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First 6 months after taking SW1319
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Prerequisite SW1319. Available at http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/podcasts/program.advm.podcast.shtml
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Sediment Data-Collection Techniques
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SW1091
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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First 2 years (if actively collecting sediment data)
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Held at Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) annually
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Introduction to Suspended Sediment Sampling
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SIR2005-5077
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On-Line
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X
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First 6 months (if assisting with the collection of sediment data)
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USGS Scientific-Investigations Report 2005-5077, CD-ROM
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Sediment Records Computation and Interpretation
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SW2096
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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First 2 years (if actively computing sediment records)
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Stage-Discharge Relations
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SW1182
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Instructor led
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4 days
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X
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First 2 years if not taking SW1286
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Generally held regionally when requested. Some of the same material is covered in SW1286.
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Indirect Measurements of Peak Discharge
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SW1163
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Instructor led
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4 days
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X
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Between years 2 and 4
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Generally held regionally when requested. Recommended prerequisite either SW1524 or SW1004.
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Basic Electronics and Troubleshooting Instrumentation
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ID1081
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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Between years 2 and 6
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Held at HIF annually
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Satellite Data-Collection Platform Installation and Operation
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ID1017
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Instructor led
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4 days
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X
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After 4+ years
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Held at HIF annually
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Streamflow Measurements with ADCPs Refresher
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SW1756
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Instructor led
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2 days
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X
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After 4+ years
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Recommended to take ~4 years after SW1321, meant to cover most recent policies, techniques, equipment, and software.
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Intermediate Streamflow Measurement using ADCPs
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SW2441
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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After 4+ years
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Held throughout nation at WSCs about 1 time a year. Intended for users with ADCP experience, as it is not a substitute for SW1321. Concentrates on measurement review and quality.
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Surface-Water Hydraulics—It is highly recommended that all individuals collecting surface-water data take either SW1524 or SW1004 sometime after at least 2 years of data collection and computation. For future career paths that include hydraulic analysis: such as slope-area computations, step-backwater computations, culvert analysis, contracted opening computations, or multi-dimensional analysis, SW2009 A and B are recommended.
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Hydrographer Hydraulics
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SW1524
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Instructor led
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4 days
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X
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After 2+ years
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Applied theory
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Basic Hydraulic Principles
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SW1004
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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After 2+ years
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Held annually at NTC, lots of theory
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Surface-Water Hydraulic Analysis Part I (Open channel flow)
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SW2009A
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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X
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After 5+ years
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Prerequisite college level hydraulics course, or SW1004. Held at NTC, lots of theory
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Surface-Water Hydraulic Analysis Part II (Flows through structures)
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SW2009B
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Instructor led
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5 days
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X
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X
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After 5+ years
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Prerequisite college level hydraulics course, or SW1004. Held at NTC, lots of theory
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