Geology 3266 Hydrology

Homework 5
Name ____________________________
Homework is not collected, but be prepared to answer these during the
next class. Test questions will be similar. USE PENCIL
From now on bring your textbook to class.

1. Do the problem below, following the procedures in the example from

class. This is problem 1.1 in the 4th edition of Bedient, at the end of
the chapter. Express your answer in inches.
A lake with a surface area of 525 acres was monitored. During one [30
day] month the inflow I was 30 cfs, the outflow O was 27 cfs and a 1.5
inch seepage loss F was measured. During the same month, the total
precipitation P was 4.25 inches. Evaporation loss E was 6.0 inches.
Estimate the storage change for this lake during the month.
Hint: Input and Output are given as flow rates [feet3/second], everything
else is in depth [inches] so it will be easier to convert Inflow and
Outflow to inches.
Suggested order of steps:
a. Make a sketch of the lake in cross section. Draw a control volume
around the lake, then show the input(s) entering, the storage change, and
the outputs leaving, using labeled arrows.
b. t The time interval t is one month. Assume for calculations a 30-
day month unless you are told otherwise.
Calculate, or look up in your notes, the number of seconds in a 30 day
month.

c. Area Convert the area of the lake from acres to square feet [ft2]

You will need the conversion factor 1 acre = 43, 560 ft2 . You should add
this conversion factor to your conversion factors page in your notes.

d. Convert Inflow rate [ft3/sec] to depth in inches. Multiply the flow

rate [ft3/sec] for inflow I by t, the number of seconds in a 30 day month
[sec], and divide by the area of the lake in ft2. This leaves you with units
of depth, in feet.

Then convert the depth in feet to depth in inches.

This number tells you how much the lake would rise if there was only
inflow.
e. Convert Outflow rate [ft3/sec] to depth in inches.
You don’t need to do those unit conversions again. Just multiply the
inflow result by the ratio of outflow to inflow.

This number tells you how much the lake would fall if there was only
outflow.
Check: should the outflow depth change be less or more than inflow?

Always check that your numbers make sense.

f. Write the equation Refer to you sketch and write out the equation for
this problem in symbols, similar to equation 1.2 but tailored to this
problem.
Input gains (P, I, etc.) are positive,
output losses (E, R, O, “seepage” F, whatever you are given) are
negative
the difference is the change in storage.

g. Plug in all the numbers in inches to calculate S.

h. Be sure you included the units in your answer above. Draw a box
around your answer.
2. Essay: Explain some consequences that deforestation has on annual
rainfall and explain why crops are not a sufficient substitute.