Learn Hydrology from the Scratch

Course Overview

What does this course tell?
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Students will learn about Hydrology Porosity Permeabilty Salt Water Intrusin along with Hydrographs & types: A hydrograph is a graph or plot that shows the rate of water flow in relation to time given a specific point or cross-section These graphs are often used to evaluate stormwater runoff on a particular site considering a development projectA natural landscape with no development or impervious surfaces will have high levels of rainfall abstraction and produce less runoff due to the vegetation and infiltration capacity of the soils which produces a gradually sloped hydrograph (1) In this scenario rainwater will meet multiple obstacles while flowing towards a stream in the form of rainfall interception by vegetationtranspiration by plants evaporation from land surfaces infiltration into soils and ponding of water in surface depressionsWhen the natural landscape is altered by development trees and other vegetation are replaced by impervious surfaces such as roofs driveways gutters and parking lots These impervious areas curtail the landscape'sability to filter and infiltrate water and results in higher peak flows and greater runoff volumes as seen inhydrograph (2) Stripping the landscape's ability tonaturally manage stormwater results in increasederosion sedimentation and nutrientsentering our waterwaysSo how can we prevent this from happening? LowImpact Development (LID) is a design strategy that strives to mimic the pre-existing site hydrology using a variety of best management practices (BMPs) If a site planner knows what the hydrograph for a site lookedlike prior to development they can amend their site plan to accommodate increased runoff onsite using practices such as rain gardens and bio-swales This will produce a hydrograph (3)What if my home is already built? LID can be used in redevelopment or retrofitapplications as well Forpreviously developed sites best management practices can beinstalled within the confines ofexisting site conditions Simple practices such asdisconnecting a downspout and redirecting runoff into a lawn or garden will have positive impacts on a site's hydrograph and help prevent pollutants from entering your local stream Stream discharge hydrograph Hydrographs are charts that display the change of a hydrologic variable over time Here are several examples from the US Geological Surveys gaging station on the Tioga River near Mansfield Pennsylvania Physical factors affecting flood hydrograph dynamicsShape A circular-shaped drainage basin leads to rapid drainage whereas a long drainage basin will take time for the water to reach the riverTopography & reliefHeavy StormsLengthy rainfallSnowfallVegetationRock typeComparing hydrographsSteep SlopesDeciduous treesAn urban area in its catchmentClay soils that stop water soaking inPermeable groundHeavy sudden precipitationLong periods of steady rainfallLots of streams gathering water in the basin

We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?During this course, students will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Understanding of hydrology: Students will learn the fundamental concepts and principles of hydrology, including the study of water movement, distribution, and properties in the Earth's surface and subsurface.
2. Knowledge of porosity and permeability: Students will gain an understanding of porosity, which refers to the amount of empty space within a material, and permeability, which refers to the ability of a material to allow water to pass through it. These concepts are crucial in understanding water movement in hydrology.
3. Understanding of saltwater intrusion: Students will learn about the phenomenon of saltwater intrusion, which occurs when saltwater infiltrates freshwater aquifers. They will understand the causes, impacts, and management strategies related to saltwater intrusion.
4. Knowledge of hydrographs and their types: Students will learn about hydrographs, which are graphs that depict the rate of water flow over time at a specific location. They will understand the different types of hydrographs and their significance in evaluating stormwater runoff and water management in various scenarios.
5. Understanding of the impact of development on hydrographs: Students will learn how human development, particularly the replacement of natural landscapes with impervious surfaces, affects hydrographs. They will understand the increased peak flows and runoff volumes resulting from the loss of vegetation and infiltration capacity, leading to erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient pollution in waterways.
6. Knowledge of Low Impact Development (LID): Students will gain an understanding of LID as a design strategy to mimic pre-existing site hydrology. They will learn about various best management practices (BMPs) that can be implemented to manage stormwater runoff, such as rain gardens and bio-swales.
7. Application of LID in redevelopment or retrofitting: Students will learn how LID can be applied to previously developed sites. They will understand how BMPs can be installed within existing site conditions to improve hydrographs and prevent pollutants from entering local streams.
8. Understanding of stream discharge hydrographs: Students will learn about stream discharge hydrographs, which display the change of a hydrologic variable over time. They will understand the physical factors that affect flood hydrograph dynamics, such as the shape of the drainage basin, topography, rainfall patterns, vegetation, and rock type.
9. Ability to compare hydrographs: Students will develop the skills to compare and analyze different hydrographs. They will understand how factors such as steep slopes, vegetation, urban areas, soil types, and precipitation patterns can influence the shape and characteristics of hydrographs.

Who will benefit from this course?
This course on hydrology will benefit a variety of individuals and professionals who are interested in or work in the following fields:

1. Civil Engineers: Civil engineers involved in the design and construction of infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and drainage systems, will benefit from this course. Understanding hydrology is crucial for designing effective stormwater management systems and preventing issues like flooding and erosion.

2. Environmental Scientists: Environmental scientists who study the impact of human activities on natural water systems will find this course valuable. They can learn about the effects of development on hydrographs and how low-impact development strategies can mitigate these impacts.

3. Urban Planners: Urban planners responsible for land use and development planning can benefit from this course. They can learn how to incorporate low-impact development practices into their designs to maintain or restore the natural hydrology of a site.

4. Water Resource Managers: Professionals involved in managing water resources, such as reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater, will find this course useful. Understanding hydrographs and the factors that influence them can help in making informed decisions about water allocation and flood control.

5. Hydrologists: Hydrologists, who study the movement and distribution of water on Earth, can enhance their knowledge and skills through this course. They can learn about hydrograph analysis and interpretation, which is essential for understanding the behavior of rivers and streams.

6. Environmental Consultants: Environmental consultants who assess the potential impacts of development projects on water resources can benefit from this course. They can gain a deeper understanding of hydrology and use this knowledge to provide informed recommendations for sustainable development.

7. Researchers: Researchers studying hydrological processes and their implications for climate change, water availability, and ecosystem health can find this course helpful. It provides a foundation in hydrology principles and techniques that can be applied in their research projects.