After reading this term paper you will learn about:- 1. Definition of Hydrology 2. Sources of Hydrology 3. Applications 4. Reasons 5. Uses.
Term Paper on Hydrology
Term Paper Contents:
- Term Paper on the Definition of Hydrology
- Term Paper on the Sources of Hydrology
- Term Paper on the Applications of Hydrology
- Term Paper on the Reasons for Studying Hydrology
- Term Paper on the Uses of Hydrology
Term Paper # 1. Definition of Hydrology:
It is a science that deals with all aspects of the water available on the earth. It includes study of occurrence of water, its properties, its distribution and circulation and also its effect on the living things and their surroundings.
Broadly, whole subject matter can be expressed in the form of a mathematical equation.
The equation is:
P = R + L
or Precipitation = Runoff + Losses
In the above equation, precipitation indicates total supply of water from all forms of falling moisture and mainly includes rainfall and snow. The runoff represents surplus water that flows over the surface to join some river or sea. The term losses includes that portion of water which goes to the atmosphere and underground by the processes like evaporation and percolation respectively.
Term Paper # 2. Sources of Hydrology:
The primary sources of water include rainwater, surface water (stored in lakes, streams, and ponds), and ground water. The distribution of water, however, is quite varied; many locations have plenty of it while others have very little. Water exists on earth in three forms solid (ice), liquid or gas (water vapour).
Oceans, rivers clouds, and rain all of which contain water, are in a frequent state of change (surface water evaporates, cloud water precipitates, rainfall in filtrates the ground, etc.). However, the total amount of the earth’s water does not change. Owing to glaciers, rivers and groundwater flow.
Water is essential to life. Without it, the biosphere that exists on the surface of the earth would not be possible. The earth is called as the ‘water’ planet, water’s molecular arrangement of water is very simple, two hydrogen atoms to each oxygen atom. One special characteristic of water is its ability to change state very easily under earth conditions. It can be found readily on the planet in all of its three forms solid, liquid, and gas.
The average annual rainfall in the country is 1170 mm, which corresponds to annual precipitation, including snowfall of 4000 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM). Out of this volume of precipitation, only 1869 BCM is assessed as the average annual potential flow in rivers. Due to various constraints, only 1123 BCM is assessed as the average annual utilisable water- 690 BCM from surface water 433 BCM from groundwater.
The present total water use is 634 BCM of which 83% is for irrigation. This is projected to grow to 813 BCM by 2010, 1093 BCM by 2025 and 1447 BCM by 2050 against utilisable quantum of 1123 BCM. Thus the demand will outstrip availability in another 35 to 40 years. The Central Water Board has estimated the present annual groundwater draft as 231 BCM.
Term Paper # 3. Applications of Hydrology:
Hydrology finds its greatest application in the design and operation of water resources engineering projects such as those for:
(a) Irrigation,
(b) Water supply,
(c) Flood control,
(d) Water power, and
(e) Navigation.
In all these projects hydrological investigations for the proper assessment of the following factors are necessary:
i. The capacity of storage structures.
ii. The magnitude of flood flows to enable safe disposal of the excess water.
iii. The maximum flow available at various seasons.
iv. The interaction of the flood wave and hydraulic structure such as levees, reservoirs, barrages and bridges.
Hydrological study of a project should necessarily precede structural and other detailed design study. It involves the collection of relevant data and analysis of the data by applying the principles and theories of hydrology to seek solutions.
Typical failures of hydraulic structure due to improper assessment of the hydrological factors are:
(a) Overtopping of an earthen dam due to an inadequate spillway capacity,
(b) Failure of bridges and culverts due to excess flood flow, and
(c) Inability of a large reservoir to fill up due to overestimating of stream flow.
Term Paper # 4. Reasons for Studying Hydrology:
We are all water dependent creatures living on a water saturated planet. Water is the most abundant substance on the earth, the principal constituent of all living things and a major force constantly shaping the surfaces of the earth. It is a key factor in air conditioning the earth for human existence and in influencing the process of civilization.
Several problems associated with water are:
i. Flooding.
ii. Droughts.
iii. Bad quality.
iv. Harmful for construction.
Water problems in brief can be stated as too much or too little or in wrong place at wrong time or wrong kind.
In order to solve our water problems we need to:
(a) Adapt or control, and
(b) Understand the hydrological process.
Term Paper # 5. Uses of Hydrology:
Irrigation engineering involves handling of water resources for improving crop yield. Naturally, unless correct assessment of the water availability is done irrigation project cannot succeed. Hydrological investigation is a first step in any irrigation scheme.
Practical applications of the knowledge of hydrology in irrigation engineering are as follows:
(1) Correct assessment of dependable flow in a river helps in determining the scope and size of the project.
(2) Estimation of maximum flood helps in determining the spillway design.
(3) River-training works can be designed accurately.
(4) Operation of irrigation works can be planned efficiently.
(5) Water resources account of a river basin can be prepared.