EESH 221: BASIC HYDROLOGY

Purpose of the course

·         To understand the processes in the hydrological cycle and their measurements.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course

  • Define, explain and correctly use terms and concepts used to describe basic physical hydrologic processes including evaporation, transpiration, precipitation, infiltration, ground-water flow and surface runoff.

·         Explain the hydrologic cycle and the ways that humans impact and interact with it.

  • To describe methods to measure the various processes in the hydrological cycle.

Course Content

Definitions:  Hydrology; hydrological cycle; hydrological processes: precipitation; Evapotranspiration and evaporation; infiltration; percolation, condensation Interception, surface storage, interflow, runoff; stream flow; water balance equation – global and regional water budgets; fluid mechanics of the lower atmosphere; water vapour in the air (atmospheric water); hydrostatics and atmospheric stability, meteorological measurements, precipitation producing mechanisms, Precipitation analysis: sources of gaps in rainfall records, methods of filling gaps, consistency; test for consistency using mass curve,  methods of estimating areal rainfall:  Arithmetic mean; Thiessen polygon and Isohyetal methods; analysis of storm precipitation; Depth/Area/Duration; surface and ground water systems.

 

Mode of Delivery

  • Lectures, library research, demonstration, group-based learning, and e-learning. 

 

Instructional Materials and/or Equipment

  • Computers; Projector, charts, staff gauge, current meter, evaporation pan; hydrological data; raingauge.

 

 

Course Assessment

·         Continuous assessment tests (sit-in CAT and term paper- 30%),

·         Final semester examinations -70%.

 

Core Reading Materials for the Course

  1. Bras, R.L. (1990). Hydrology: An introduction to Hydrologic Science. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
  2. Jaya, R.R. (2008).  A Textbook of Hydrology. University Science Press, New Delhi.

Recommended Reference Materials

  1. McCuen, R.H. (1989). Hydrologic analysis and Design. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632.
  2. Raghunath, H. M. (2006).  Hydrology. New Age International (P) Limited, Publishers, new Delhi