WRM 2200-Introduction to Water Resources Management

Assignment 2
Austin Harris
1. Outline the cyclonic type of precipitation
Cyclonic or Frontal precipitation results when the leading edge of a warm, moist air mass (warm
front) meets a cool and dry air mass(cold front). The molecules in the cold air are more tightly
packed together (i.e., more dense), and thus, the cold air is heavier than the warm air. The
warmer air mass is forced up over the cool air. As it rises ,the warm air cools, the water vapor in
the air condenses, and clouds and precipitation result.

2. Outline the orographic type of precipitation

Orographic precipitation comes from warm moist air moving across the ocean is forced to rise
by large mountains. Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air as the cool air cools, the
water vapor in the air condense and water droplets form. Clouds form and precipitation rain or
snow occurs on the windward side of the mountain.

3. What is acid rain?

Rain or precipitation that damages the environment infrastructure and living atmosphere, due to
being contaminated with pollutants like Carbon Dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.
4. What is the soil saturated zone?
The area directly below the water table it is also called the ground water supply.
5. What instrument do you use for measuring rainfall? What units?
Rain gauge use either inches or millimeters.
6. What is the name of the instrument for measuring soil moisture content?
Infiltrometer
7. How does land use affect runoff?
Runoff and streamflow are influenced in a number of ways including natural characteristics of a
watershed, meteorological characteristics, physical characteristics and land use patterns.

WRM 2200-Introduction to Water Resources Management

Assignment 2
Austin Harris
8. Explain Streamflow hydrograph
The stream hydrograph. Increases in stream flow follow rainfall or snowmelt. The gradual
decay in flow after the peaks reflects diminishing supply from groundwater.
9. What is an aquifer?
A body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater; Water bearing rock.
10. What is a confined aquifer?
An aquifer in which ground water is confined under pressure which is significantly greater than
atmospheric pressure.