What is Hydrology: Definition and 11 Discussions

Hydrology (from Greek: ὕδωρ, "hýdōr" meaning "water" and λόγος, "lógos" meaning "study") is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is called a hydrologist. Hydrologists are scientists studying earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, and physical geography. Using various analytical methods and scientific techniques, they collect and analyze data to help solve water related problems such as environmental preservation, natural disasters, and water management.Hydrology subdivides into surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology), and marine hydrology. Domains of hydrology include hydrometeorology, surface hydrology, hydrogeology, drainage-basin management, and water quality, where water plays the central role.
Oceanography and meteorology are not included because water is only one of many important aspects within those fields.
Hydrological research can inform environmental engineering, policy, and planning.

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  1. Glenstr

    Lake Hydrology Physics: Observing Shoreline Changes

    I live on a lake, and have for almost 3 decades now. Every year I watch shoreline changes, from year to year and shorter timespans, sometimes just days. The lake is large in surface area at 236 km2 (91 sq mi), but with an average depth of only 28' probably relatively small in volume for its...
  2. K

    Engineering [University Hydrology]-Creating a storm hydrograph from a 60 minute UH

    Hi guys, not sure if anyone can help me but I'm having a bit of an issue with creating a storm hydrograph from a 60 min unit hydrograph that is in 5 minute intervals. I've lagged the unit hydrograph by 60 minutes each net rainfall block while multiplying the respective net rainfall to the...
  3. T

    What is the significance of lag time in a hydrograph?

    Homework Statement Lag time in hydrograph means teh time of center of rainfall to center of hydrograph , according to my book . Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Since lag time can be understood by the time taken for the water to reach river , contributing to max discharge ... So ...
  4. T

    Missing precipitation data (hydrology)

    Homework Statement Develop a hydrograph (rainfall intensity vs time) for the precipitation data . Then , estimate the amount of gauge X if there adjacent station precipitation amount of A , B and C are 42.4 , 35.3 and 38.4 respetively . Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution So , i...
  5. T

    Runoff from watershed (hydrology)

    Homework Statement A watershed with a surface area of 3100km^2 received 170cm of precipitation during a one year period . Durign the same year , the outflow was 50(m^3)/sec .Calculate the amount of water lost due to combined effects of evaporation , transpiration and infiltration. Also estimate...
  6. F

    Mean Section Method Homework: Cross Sectional Area Solution

    Homework Statement I have problem of obtaining the cross sectional area . Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Taking section 2-3 as an example , my working is [ (3.3 +4.8) / 2 ]* 5 = 20.25 , but the ans provided is 29.28 , how to get the 29.28 ?
  7. F

    Surface Runoff - Explained and Debated

    Homework Statement In my book , i was told that when the drainage of surface is high then the surface runoff will be low . However , i don't think it's correct . Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Definiton : Runoff can be described as the part of the water cycle that flows over...
  8. CivilSigma

    Derivative in mass flow rate equation - Hydrology

    Hello, I am working with the mass flow rate equation which is:$$\frac{d \dot{m}}{dt}=\dot{m}_{in}-\dot{m}_{out}$$ To determine the change of the height of water in a reservoir. Assuming m_in = 10 and m_out = sqrt(20h), then : $$\frac{d (\rho \cdot Q) }{dt}=\rho \cdot Q_{in} - \rho\cdot...
  9. A

    Data analysis software for hydrology research

    Hello there! This is my first time posting, but I'm a long time reader. I could not find a more appropriate sub-forum. I have just been hired to compile and organize data for an arctic hydrology research project in Fairbanks, AK. They are studying climate change and have recorded a few...
  10. V

    Hydrology Career: Path to Becoming a Hydrologist

    Hi. I'm 25 years old with a wife and two sons. I've spent the last two years after graduation teaching at an academy in Taipei, Taiwan. While over there I decided I no longer wanted to teach English and that I wanted to get into hydrology. Why hydrology? Several reasons. I used to...
  11. Pyrrhus

    Finding the Right Hydrology Book for Civil Engineering Students

    Does anybody knows of a good hydrology book?? I am a civil engineering student, i want mostly applied stuff and at the undergraduate level.
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