This paper presents an original teaching experience that mixes open-channel hydraulics and automatic control, with an application to real-time control of flows in open-channels. The course enhances a hands on' approach of these concepts. After a general introduction on the operational management of open-channels, the students first perform manual control on a mathematical flow simulation model, then study linear frequency domain modelling, and apply these notions on an experimental canal. The visit of a real canal with centralized supervision and control is organized at the end of the course.