Hydrology – hydro = water; logos = study

Noun – the science dealing with the occurrence, circulation, distribution, and properties
of the waters of the earth and its atmosphere.

Branches of Hydrology
- Chemical Hydrology
o Study of Chemical Characteristics of water
- Eco Hydrology
o Study of interactions of living organisms and the hydrologic cycle
- Hydrogeology
o Study of the distribution and movement of groundwater
- Hydrometeorology
o Study of the transfer of water and energy between land and water
- Surface Hydrology
o Study of hydrologic processes that operate near earth’s surface
- Drainage Basin Management
o Covers water-storage in the form of reservoirs, and floor protection
- Water Quality
o Chemistry of water in rivers and lakes, both of pollutants and natural
solutes.
Applications of Hydrology
- Designing drainage system
- Designing irrigation schemes
- Determining agricultural water balance
- Predicting floods
- Designing buffers
- Determining the water balance for a region
- Designing urban drinking water and sewer
Hydrologic cycle
- Transpiration
- Evaporation
- Infiltration
- Condensation
- Runoff
- Precipitation
- Subsurface Flow
Hydrology
- Is the science that encompasses the occurrence, distribution, movement, and
properties of the water on Earth and other planets.
- The hydrologic cycle is a continuous process by which water is purified by
evaporation and transported from the earth's surface (including the oceans) to
the atmosphere and back to the land and oceans.
What Hydrologists Do
- Apply scientific knowledge and mathematical principles to solve water-related
problems in society: problems of quantity, quality, and availability.
Specialization in Hydrology
 - Hydrometeorologists (atmosphere)
- Glaciologists (glaciers)
- Geomorphologists (landforms)
- Geochemists (groundwater quality)
- Hydrogeologists (groundwater)
Importance of Hydrology
Role of Hydrologists
- Use their knowledge and expertise to combat water pollution, protect the earth’s
water resources, and provide engineering hydrology.
- Find water supplies for towns and cities.
Hydrologists and Civil Engineers
- Hydrologists work in conjunction with civil engineers to ensure the quality,
integrity, and sustainability of infrastructure construction projects. While, Civil
Engineers use the knowledge, information, observation, and data that have been
collected by hydrologists to design, build, and operate dams and reservoirs.
Applications of Hydrology in Different Fields of Civil Engineering
Engineering Hydrology
- Has numerous applications in water resources management, engineering design,
and environmental planning.
1. Floor Risk Assessment and Management
2. Water Supply Planning
3. Irrigation Design and Management
4. Storm water Management
5. Watershed Management
6. Dam and Reservoirs Operations
7. Environmental Impact Assessment
8. Climate Change Impact Studies

1. Flood Risk Assessment and Management

- It involves analyzing historical flood data, rainfall patterns, and river flow
characteristics to develop flood frequency analysis and floodplain mapping.
- This information helps in designing flood control measures, such as levees, floodwalls,
and reservoirs, and in developing flood forecasting and warning systems.
2. Water Supply Planning
- In involves estimating water demand, analyzing rainfall-runoff relationships, and
determining the capacity of water sources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
- This information guides the development of water supply infrastructure, including
dams, reservoirs, water treatment facilities.
3. Irrigation Design and Management
- In involves estimating water requirements for crops, analyzing soil moisture
characteristics, and determining the most efficient methods of water delivery.
- This helps in optimizing irrigation scheduling, improving water use efficiency, and
maximizing crop yields.

4. Storm water Management

- In involves analyzing rainfall intensity, drainage systems, and land characteristics to
design stormwater collection and conveyance systems.
- Proper stormwater management helps mitigate urban flooding, reduce erosion, and
protect water quality by treating and managing runoff pollutants.
5. Watershed Management
- It involves studying the hydrological processes within a watershed, such as rainfall,
evapotranspiration, and streamflow, to assess water availability and quality.
- This information guides the development of watershed management plans, including
erosion control measures, land use planning, and restoration project.
6. Dam and Reservoirs Operations
- It involves analyzing inflow and outflow data, rainfall forecasts, and water demands to
optimize reservoir storage and releases.
- This helps in maintaining water supplies, generating hydropower, regulating river
flows, and mitigating downstream flood risks.
7. Environmental Impact Assessment
- It involves evaluating changes in water availability, streamflow patterns, and aquatic
ecosystems due to project activities.
- This information guides the development of mitigation measures and environmental
management plans.
8. Climate Change Impact Studies
- It involves analyzing climate models, historical hydrological data, and future scenarios
to understand changes in rainfall patterns, river flows, and water availability.
- This information helps in developing adaptation strategies for water resource
management in changing climate.
Conclusion
- These applications of engineering hydrology highlight its importance in
understanding and managing water resources effectively and sustainably.
Hydrological data, modeling techniques, and analysis tools are employed to
support decision-making, optimize water infrastructure designs, and ensure the
efficient utilization of water resources.