LESSON 1

Definition of Hydrology
Hydrologic Cycle

Definition of Hydrology
Hydrology is the science that includes the occurrence, distribution, movement
and properties of the waters of the earth and their relationship with the
environment within each phase of the hydrologic cycle. The water cycle, or
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.

HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
The hydrological cycle of the earth is the sum total of all processes in which
water moves from the land and ocean surface to the atmosphere and back in
form of precipitation.

Hydrological cycle is also known as the “water cycle”. It is the normal water
recycling system on Earth. Due to solar radiation, water evaporates, generally
from the sea, lakes, etc. Water also evaporates from plant leaves through the
mechanism of transpiration. As the steam rises in the atmosphere, it is being
cooled, condensed, and returned to the land and the sea as precipitation.
Precipitation falls on the earth as surface water and shapes the surface, creating
thus streams of water that result in lakes and rivers. A part of the water
precipitating penetrates the ground and moves downward through the incisions,
forming aquifers. Finally, a part of the surface and underground water leads to
sea. During this trip, water is converted in all phases: gas, liquid, and solid. As
mentioned above, water always changes states between liquid, vapor, and ice,
with these processes happening in the blink of an eye and over millions of years.

The hydrological cycle is intimately linked with changes in the atmospheric

temperature and radiation balance. Warming of the climate system in recent
decades is unequivocal, as it is now evident from observations of increases in
global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice,
and rising of the sea level globally.

Summary

The concept of the hydrological cycle is quite simple. But, its importance to life on
earth is profound. The hydrological cycle plays an overarching role in the cycling
of solar energy, sediments, and chemical elements vital for life. Although it is
clear that contemporary ecosystems reflect an evolutionary adaptation to the
delicate linkages that exist among the various components of the hydrological
cycle, it is also apparent that evolving life has affected the evolution of the
hydrological cycle over geological time. Life, it appears, is simultaneously a
product of the hydrological cycle and a factor causing changes in the cycle.

Hydrology in engineering

Hydrology is used in engineering mainly in connection with the design and

operation of hydraulic structures.
1. What flood flows may be expected at a spillway or highway culvert or in a
city drainage system?
2. What reservoir capacity is required to assure adequate water for irrigation
or municipal water supply during droughts?
3. What effect will reservoirs, levees, and other control works exert on flood
flows in a stream?
These are typical of the questions which the hydrologist is expected to answer.
Large organizations such as Federal and state water agencies can maintain
staffs of hydrologic specialists to analyze their problems, but smaller offices often
have insufficient hydrologic work for full-time specialists.
Hence, many civil engineers are called upon for occasional hydrologic studies. It
is probable that these civil engineers deal with a larger number of project (without
regard to size) than do the specialists, although in respect to annual dollar
volume the situation may be reversed. In any event, it seems that knowledge of
the fundamentals of hydrology is an essential part of the civil engineer's training.
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation is a phenomenon in which condensed water vapors fall on the
earth's surface under the influence of gravity in the form of:
1. rain,
2. hail,
3. snow
4. sleet.

RUNOFF

Runoff is nothing more than water "running off" the land surface. Just as the
water you wash your car with runs off down the driveway as you work, the rain
that Mother Nature covers the landscape with runs off downhill, too (due to
gravity). Runoff is an important component of the natural water cycle

SURFACE WATER
Surface water is any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers,
lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and creeks. The ocean, despite being saltwater, is
also considered surface water. The vast majority of surface water is produced by
precipitation.
There are three types of surface water.
1. Perennial surface water
2. Ephemeral surface water
3. Man-made surface water

Perennial (permanent) - permanent surface waters are present throughout the

year. They are usually in the form of rivers, lakes, springs and swamps. At times
when there is little or no rain, the water level is maintained by groundwater
contributions.

Ephemeral or semi-permanent, surface water exists for only part of the year.
Ephemeral surface water includes small creeks, lagoons, and water holes. Man-
made surface water is found in artificial structures, such as dams and
constructed wetlands.

Man-made surface water is found in artificial structures, such as dams and

constructed wetlands. Since surface water is more easily accessible than
groundwater, it is relied on for many human uses. It is an important source of
drinking water and is used for the irrigation of farmland.

Groundwater
Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil,
sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of
soil, sand and rocks called aquifers and include springs and wells. As can be
seen from the hydrologic cycle, when rain falls to the ground, some water flows
along the land to streams or lakes, some water evaporates into the atmosphere,
some is taken up by plants, and some seeps into the ground.

Ground Water Recharge

Groundwater recharge or deep drainage or deep percolation is a hydrologic
process, where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater.
Recharge is the primary method through which water enters an aquifer.

Source of Groundwater
Groundwater sources are beneath the land surface and include springs and
wells. As can be seen from the hydrologic cycle, when rain falls to the ground,
some water flows along the land to streams or lakes, some water evaporates into
the atmosphere, some is taken up by plants, and some seeps into the ground.

DISCHARGE
In hydrology, discharge is the volumetric flow rate of water that is transported
through a given cross-sectional area. 

Q = AV Where:
Q = rate of discharge
A = cross-sectional area of flow
V = velocity of flow

SURFACE WATER
Surface water is water located on top of land forming terrestrial waterbodies, and
may also be referred to as blue water, opposed to the seawater and waterbodies
like the ocean. The vast majority of surface water is produced by precipitation.
EVAPORATION

Evaporation is a type of vaporization that occurs on the surface of a liquid as it

changes into the gas phase. High concentration of the evaporating substance in
the surrounding gas significantly slows down evaporation, such as when humidity
affects rate of evaporation of water.

CONDENSATION

Condensation is the change of the state of matter from the gas phase into the
liquid phase, and is the reverse of vaporization. The word most often refers to the
water cycle
Examples: Morning dew on the grass. Water droplets on the outer surface of cold
drink bottle. Foggy car windows.