GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

CHAPTER VIII:
GROUNDWATER, RIVER AND FLOOD HAZARDS

BARRERA, ANTHONY•ESCOÑA, ALEX •LIM, LOURHEA•

MONICA, LEO MAR•TENEDERO, JENCHOR KENTH

A partial requirement for the subject Geology for Civil Engineers for the 1 st semester of
the academic year 2023-2024 submitted on September 7, 2023 ____Ric Gonzaga
I. Introduction

II. Discussion per subtopic

a. Sources of Stream Water

Stream water is a critical subject in geology for civil engineers, as it directly impacts
various aspects of civil engineering projects, including water resource management,
infrastructure design, environmental assessment, and flood control. Here's how
stream water is relevant to civil engineering:

Water Resource Management: Civil engineers often work on projects related to the
supply and distribution of water resources. Understanding the availability and quality
of stream water is essential for designing water supply systems, reservoirs, and
water treatment plants.

Hydrology and Drainage Design: Civil engineers need to assess the flow and
drainage patterns of streams to design infrastructure such as bridges, culverts, and
stormwater management systems. Knowledge of streamflow characteristics,
including flow rates and flood frequencies, is critical.

Sediment Transport: Streams transport sediment downstream, which can affect the
stability of infrastructure like dams and bridges. Engineers need to consider
sediment transport rates and patterns in their designs to prevent erosion and
sedimentation issues.
Environmental Impact Assessment: When planning construction projects near
streams, civil engineers must consider the environmental impact of their work on
aquatic ecosystems. Changes in streamflow and water quality can harm local flora
and fauna, making it essential to minimize these impacts.

Flood Control and River Engineering: Engineers play a crucial role in designing flood
control structures, such as levees, floodwalls, and reservoirs. Understanding stream
behavior during floods is vital for effective flood control measures.

Geotechnical Engineering: Stream water can infiltrate the ground and affect the
stability of slopes, foundations, and retaining walls. Civil engineers must assess the
geotechnical properties of soils in areas near streams to ensure the safety and
durability of structures.

Water Quality and Treatment: Civil engineers are responsible for designing and
maintaining water treatment facilities. They need to monitor and manage the quality
of stream water, especially when it is used as a source for drinking water.

Erosion Control: Stream banks can erode due to high water velocities or increased
sediment loads. Engineers design erosion control measures, like riprap or vegetative
stabilization, to protect infrastructure and prevent downstream sedimentation.

Environmental Compliance: Many civil engineering projects require compliance with

environmental regulations. Engineers must ensure that their projects do not harm
water quality, aquatic habitats, or endangered species that depend on stream
ecosystems.

Infrastructure Maintenance: After construction, civil engineers are responsible for

maintaining infrastructure that interacts with stream water. This includes regular
inspections, repairs, and modifications to adapt to changing stream conditions.

To effectively address these challenges, civil engineers often collaborate with

hydrologists, geologists, and environmental scientists to gather data, conduct
analyses, and make informed decisions regarding stream water in their projects.
This interdisciplinary approach is critical for the sustainable and responsible
management of stream water resources in civil engineering applications.
 In geology, understanding the sources of stream water is important for engineers
and hydrologists when planning and designing infrastructure projects, managing water
resources, and assessing environmental impacts. Stream water primarily comes from
several sources, which can vary depending on the geological and hydrological
characteristics of the area. Here are some common sources of stream water in geology
for engineers to consider:

Precipitation: Rainfall and snowmelt are the primary sources of water for streams.
Precipitation, in the form of rain or snow, falls on the land surface and can either
infiltrate into the ground to become groundwater or flow directly into streams as surface
runoff.

Groundwater: Groundwater seepage into streams is a significant source of streamflow.

Water from aquifers and subsurface layers can discharge into streams, especially
during dry periods when there is less direct runoff from precipitation.

Springs: Springs are natural outlets where groundwater flows to the surface, feeding
into streams. Springs can contribute to streamflow, especially in areas with abundant
groundwater resources.

Surface runoff: Surface runoff occurs when rainfall or snowmelt flows over the land
surface and into streams. The rate of runoff depends on factors like soil type, vegetation
cover, and land use.

Tributaries: Streams are often formed by the confluence of smaller streams or

tributaries. These tributaries contribute water to the main stream, increasing its flow.

Lakes and reservoirs: Streams can receive inflow from lakes or reservoirs, which may
store water from various sources, including rainfall, tributaries, and groundwater.

Glacial meltwater: In regions with glaciers, meltwater from glaciers can be a significant
source of streamflow during the warmer months.

Permafrost thaw: In areas with permafrost, the thawing of frozen ground can release
water into streams during the spring and summer months.

Anthropogenic sources: Human activities, such as wastewater discharges and

industrial processes, can introduce water into streams. This water may be treated or
untreated, and its quality can vary significantly.

Recycled or reclaimed water: In some regions, treated wastewater or reclaimed water

is discharged into streams as part of water reuse and recycling efforts.
Engineers and hydrologists use geological and hydrological studies, including
groundwater modeling, precipitation data analysis, and topographic mapping, to assess
the contributions of these various sources to streamflow. Understanding the sources of
stream water is crucial for managing water resources, mitigating flood risks, and
ensuring the sustainability of water supply systems.

b. Flow, Energy, Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition of

Stream.
Types of Flood

Flow Steady flow it I s defined as a type of flowing which the fluid characteristics like velocity(V),
pressure(P), density(ρ),etc.

Unsteadyflow: is defined as a type off lowin which velocity pressure or densit yata point changes with
respect to time. Uniformflow: is defined as a type offl owinwhichve loci
tyatanygiventimedoesnotchangewithrespecttospace. Non-uniformflow:It is a typ e
offlowinwhichvelocityatanygiventimechangeswithrespecttospace. WaterEnergy Dambetweenmountains
Ifyou'veeverstoodinafast–
movingstream,underawaterfall,orontheoceanshoreaswavescomecrashingin,thenyou'vefeltthepowerofth
ewater.Theenergyfrommovingwatercanbeusedtocreateelectricityinseveraldifferentways.
ErosionHazardmeansthethreatofchannelmigrationand/ordowncutting,duetoerosionduringtimesoffloodin
g,orerosionofthegroundaroundastructureinsuchamannerastothreatenthestabilityofthestructure.
TRANSPORT:Movingmaterial.Theforceoftheflowingwatermovesthemud,sand,pebblesandsiltcreatedbyero
sion.
DEPOSITION:Dumpingmaterial.Thesand,mud,pebblesandsiltbeingtransportedbytheriveriseventuallydrop
ped.Theseprocessesoferosion,transportanddepositionaredirectlylinkedtohowmuchenergyariverhas.
 c. Cycle of Erosion
Cycle of Erosion
• The geographic cycle, or cycle of erosion, is an idealized model that explains the
development of relief in landscapes.
• The model starts with the erosion that follows uplift of land above a base level and
ends, if conditions allow, in the formation of a peneplain. Landscapes that show
evidence of more than one cycle of erosion are termed “polycyclical”.

Stages of Normal Cycle of Erosion

i. Youthful Stage:
Consequent streams (which follow the regional slope) are originated with the upliftment
of land area due to endogenetic forces.
ii. Mature Stage:
Marked valley deepening through vertical erosion during youthful stage results in
pronounced decrease in channel gradient and consequent decrease in flow velocity with
the result the arrival of early maturity.
iii. Old Stage:
The old stage is characterized by further decrease in channel gradient, almost total
absence of valley deepening, decrease in the number of tributary streams and flattening
of valleys. Tributary streams also attain the base level of erosion and are graded.
 d. Groundwater Zones
Groundwater Zones
 It is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.
Itis stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and
rocks called aquifers.
 Groundwater is fresh water that seeps into the earth from melting ice and snow
or from rain the soil and is kept in the microscopic openings (pores) between
rocks and dirt particles soil.
Two Zones of Groundwater
• Unsaturated Zone – it was below the land surface, contains water and air in the open
spaces, or pores.
• Saturated Zones - a zone in which all the pores and rock fractures are filled with
water, underlies the unsaturated zone.

What is Water Table?

• The water table serves as the dividing line between the saturated and unsaturated
zones underground. Any gaps between sediments and inside rocks below the water
table are filled by groundwater.
• The water table level may alter as a result of seasonal and annual variations in
precipitation. High precipitation raises the water table in late winter and early spring.
However, because of gravity and the passage of time, there is a delay between when
precipitation penetrates the saturated zone and when the water table rises. The water
table may increase as a result of crop irrigation because extra water seeps into the
ground.

What is an Aquifer?
• An aquifer can develop in areas where groundwater can move quickly, such as
through gravel and sandy deposits. There is enough groundwater in an aquifer that it
may be pumped to the surface and used for agriculture, industry, drinking water, and
other purposes.
• Underground rock must have connected pores or cracks for water to pass through.
We refer to rocks as being permeable if water can freely pass through them and there
are strong connections between their pores or cracks.

- refers to how well a material transmits water. If the pores or fractures are
not connected, the rock material cannot produce water and is therefore not considered
an aquifer. The amount of water an aquifer can hold depends on the volume of the
underground rock materials and the size and number of pores and fractures that can fill
with water.

III. Sample Problems

IV. Summary
V. Self-Assessment
VI. References
Works Cited
Bell, F. (1983). Fundamentals of Engineering Geology.
Freitas, M. D. (1943). A Geology for Engieers.
Geology, F. o. (1994). Tony Waltham.
Gribble, C. (1979). Geology for Civil Engineers.
Vallejo, L. G. (2021). Geological Engineering.