I did my master’s project in Environmental Engineering at EPFL in collaboration with CREALP, to improve flood forecasting in the canton of Valais. The model is based on interpolated meteorological data. Due to the poor spatial coverage of meteorological stations, it is difficult to measure precipitation in certain mountain regions. My work consisted in filling these gaps using satellite remote sensing techniques.
This experience was an ideal combination of my passion for the mountains and my interest in modelling work.
Diploma work
We offer support for master’s projects and theses in the fields of hydrology, geology and hydrogeology, resource management and natural hazards.
Service civil
CREALP offers civil servants the opportunity to carry out an assignment at our center. By performing your civil service at CREALP, you’ll be able to build up a network of contacts and facilitate your integration into this professional environment. More info: E-ZIVI, the civil service portal
Courses
The aim of these internships is to acquire the basic professional knowledge required for technical training. We offer internships and civil service in the fields of hydrology, geology, hydrogeology, resource management and natural hazards. Internships can be short observation periods or compulsory as part of a specific training course.
Testimonials
Max Hurni
Student Master SIE
(EPFL)
(EPFL)
I joined CREALP as part of a semester project at EPFL. The aim was to study the creation of a real-time forecasting system for areas potentially impacted by floods in the Vallée de Conches (VS). The uncertainties associated with floods make it difficult to anticipate them, and to estimate the socio-economic damage they cause.
This project has enabled me to develop important technical skills in flood modelling, but also to gain a more practical insight into the origins and behaviour of floods. I’d like to thank the CREALP team who supported me throughout the semester, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to acquire all this.
This project has enabled me to develop important technical skills in flood modelling, but also to gain a more practical insight into the origins and behaviour of floods. I’d like to thank the CREALP team who supported me throughout the semester, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to acquire all this.
Mathilde Metral
Student Master SIE
(EPFL)
(EPFL)
My semester project focused on the application of a low-cost seismic sensor for the measurement of torrential bedload in rivers. As part of this project, I also carried out experiments with a physical model of the Armfield canal at the Laboratoire d’Hydraulique Environnementale (LHE) at EPFL.
The aim was to isolate the seismic signal from sediment transport, and then deduce the mass of sediment carried. In addition, sensor data recorded in the field, in a bank of the Navisence river in Zinal, were also analyzed.
This project went very well, with a good working atmosphere despite the health situation linked to COVID, thanks in particular to regular contact with supervisors.
The aim was to isolate the seismic signal from sediment transport, and then deduce the mass of sediment carried. In addition, sensor data recorded in the field, in a bank of the Navisence river in Zinal, were also analyzed.
This project went very well, with a good working atmosphere despite the health situation linked to COVID, thanks in particular to regular contact with supervisors.
Loïc Brouet
Master SIE student (EPFL)
I worked on landslide susceptibility as part of my master’s project. The project consisted of an interdisciplinary approach based on differential interferometry to identify active deformations from June to September 2020 in order to correct some predicted low susceptibility levels. Calculating the differential interferometric phase after removing the phase delay related to local tropospheric conditions enabled small deformations to be detected.
This method was validated for GPS-monitored landslides available on the Guardaval platform and for other known landslides. The differential interferometric results showed the advantage of covering larger areas than the results obtained by permanent scatters for the same region. Ultimately, it could be interesting to integrate these new differential interferometric detections with other landslide monitoring information on Guardaval.
This method was validated for GPS-monitored landslides available on the Guardaval platform and for other known landslides. The differential interferometric results showed the advantage of covering larger areas than the results obtained by permanent scatters for the same region. Ultimately, it could be interesting to integrate these new differential interferometric detections with other landslide monitoring information on Guardaval.
Clotilde Marmy
Master SIE student (EPFL)
I did my civil service at CREALP between June and December 2020. I was lucky enough to take part in two major projects: MIHM and RESERVAQUA. In this context, I was given an immediate sense of trust, and was able to put forward my own hypotheses and discuss them on an equal footing with my colleagues.
CREALP also enabled me to take part in field projects during which I was able to put to good use my experience in piloting drones on exceptional sites, such as the Bonnard glacier or the Losentse in Chamoson.
All in all, this civil service experience was a wonderful entry into the world of work, enabling me to gain experience that will be important in the pursuit of my professional life. My warmest thanks go to the entire CREALP team for their welcome and patience.
CREALP also enabled me to take part in field projects during which I was able to put to good use my experience in piloting drones on exceptional sites, such as the Bonnard glacier or the Losentse in Chamoson.
All in all, this civil service experience was a wonderful entry into the world of work, enabling me to gain experience that will be important in the pursuit of my professional life. My warmest thanks go to the entire CREALP team for their welcome and patience.
Xavier Buchwalder
Civil servant
As part of my internship at CREALP, I was responsible for digitizing information from over 850 boreholes drilled in the Rhône plain between St-Léonard and Ardon. This work forms the basis for the development of a conceptual hydrogeological model, followed by a flow model of the Rhône plain.
In addition, I have been responsible for the creation of the new website and have recently been given the opportunity to take part in the Stratégie Eau de Sion project. The aim of this strategy is to propose solutions to the various water objectives raised by the town of Sion.
At the same time, I did a master’s thesis on the processes and hazards of debris flows in the Chamoson watershed. For this work, I can rely on data provided by CREALP via the Guardaval web portal.
In addition, I have been responsible for the creation of the new website and have recently been given the opportunity to take part in the Stratégie Eau de Sion project. The aim of this strategy is to propose solutions to the various water objectives raised by the town of Sion.
At the same time, I did a master’s thesis on the processes and hazards of debris flows in the Chamoson watershed. For this work, I can rely on data provided by CREALP via the Guardaval web portal.
Joëlle Jeltsch
Intern
Graduating with a Master’s degree in Geological Risks in June 2020, I was hired at CREALP for a 6-month internship. During this internship, I had the opportunity to take part in various projects, in particular the “Monitoring des Instabilités de Haute Montagne (MIHM)” project, analyzing 3D photogrammetric models and accompanying some of my colleagues on the Bonnard glacier, near Zinal.
I also had the opportunity to train and perfect my skills on various computer programs such as CloudCompare, Discontinuity Set Extractor (DES) and Matlab. These are essential tools for my future career as a geologist. This internship has been an enriching experience both professionally and personally.
I also had the opportunity to train and perfect my skills on various computer programs such as CloudCompare, Discontinuity Set Extractor (DES) and Matlab. These are essential tools for my future career as a geologist. This internship has been an enriching experience both professionally and personally.
Léna Maillard
Intern