Surface-water hydrology

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Surface water hydrology describes the relation between rainfall and runoff, which is an important aspect of water resources for drinking water, agriculture (irrigation) and the safeguarding of the environment, and for protecting people against possible floods.

Surface water hydrology relates to the dynamics of flow in surface water systems (rivers, canals, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, marshes, arroyos, etc.). This includes the field measurement of flow (discharge) and subsurface water levels in wells; the relationships between groundwater and surface water, the statistical variability at each setting, and then development of the levels of risk. Examples include baseflow needs for instream flow, drought susceptibility, and flood levels.

In-depth analysis of surface water components of the hydrologic cycle: hydrometeorology, evaporation/transpiration, rainfall-runoff relationships, open-channel flow, flood hydrology, and statistical and probabilistic methods in hydrology.