Runoff from watershed (hydrology)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hydrology homework problem involving a watershed's precipitation, outflow, and the calculation of water lost due to evaporation, transpiration, and infiltration. Participants are attempting to determine the runoff from the watershed based on given data and equations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to calculate runoff and mentions the formula I-Q = dS/dt, indicating a need to understand inflow and outflow relationships.
  • Another participant agrees with a calculated loss of 119cm but questions the completeness of the problem, noting the absence of information regarding groundwater flow.
  • Multiple participants reiterate the concern that the problem lacks necessary details about groundwater flow, which is essential for calculating total runoff.
  • There is a suggestion that runoff might simply be interpreted as the outflow of 50cm, but this interpretation is not universally accepted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the calculated loss of 119cm but express disagreement regarding the adequacy of the problem statement, particularly concerning the missing information about groundwater flow. The discussion remains unresolved regarding how to definitively calculate runoff.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the problem statement, particularly the lack of information on groundwater flow, which affects the ability to calculate total runoff accurately.

tzx9633

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 the runoff from the watershed .

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


For this question , i am not sure how to do . But , i studied the formula of I-Q = dS/dt , where I - inflow , Q - outflow , dS/dt = change of storage over time

so , i let total inflow = outflow + combined effects of losses.. I am not sure how to get the runoff volume

so , i already gt total lost = 119cm . Bu t, how to get runoff ? I don't think we can get runoff directly from this question . I think the question got problem
 
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Can anyone help ?
 
I agree with your answer 119cm.

I also think there is something wrong with the question.. I think total runoff = outflow + ground water flow but the problem doesn't give info on the ground water flow. Is there more information in other parts of the question?
 
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CWatters said:
I agree with your answer 119cm.

I also think there is something wrong with the question.. I think total runoff = outflow + ground water flow but the problem doesn't give info on the ground water flow. Is there more information in other parts of the question?
It seems that you are familiar with hydrology , can you help me out in this thread ? https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/double-mass-curve.927072/#post-5851756

Thanks in advance !
 
CWatters said:
I agree with your answer 119cm.

I also think there is something wrong with the question.. I think total runoff = outflow + ground water flow but the problem doesn't give info on the ground water flow. Is there more information in other parts of the question?
or the runoff here simply means loss to outflow = 50cm ?
 

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