Surface Hydrology
1. Course Name: Surface Hydrology
2. Course Code: GRM 1102
3. Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic components of surface hydrology including the components
of the hydrological cycle. These are further discussed in detail including evapotranspiration, precipitation,
interception, run off and stream flow. Attention is paid to techniques for the measurement and collection
of data on the different components. The course also covers hydrographs and their applications in
hydraulic engineering for river structures and planning and management of water resources. Water
balance is discussed and at the end an overview of the hydrological conditions in Africa is given.
The course is divided into the following major topics:
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The hydrological cycle
Evapotranspiration
Precipitation
Runoff and hydrographs
Streams and stream flow
Water balance
Hydrological conditions in Africa
4. Course objectives
The objectives of the course are to:
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Introduce the basic components of the hydrological cycle.
Give a detailed account of the different components (evapotranspiration, precipitation, interception,
run off and stream flow including techniques for their measurements.
Introduce hydrographs and highlight how they can be applied to hydraulic engineering and water
resource management.
Discuss the water balance model.
Give an overview of the hydrological conditions in Africa.
5. Teaching and Assessment Pattern
Duration of the Course
The content of the course will be covered in one 15-week semester with three hours of instruction per
week..
Mode of Instruction
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Most of the instruction will classroom based and students will be encouraged to ask questions during
the lecture.
Whenever possible, demonstrations will be made in the field during field excursions.
Students will be free to seek help outside the Lecture room from the instructor.
There will monthly be assignments.
There will at least be two major tests
Assessment Pattern
The following instruments will be used to assess the extent of growth in skills, abilities and understanding
acquired:
Requirements
a) Tests
b) Assignments
c) Final examination
a&b
c
Total
No. of units
2
4
1
Contribution
40%
60%
100%
7. Reading List
The reading list will include but not limited to the following texts:
Todd, D.K. (1980): Groundwater Hydrology, J. Wiley
Hamill, L. & Bell, F.G. (1986): Groundwater Resources Development
Fetter, C. W. (1994): Applied Hydrogeology, Prentice Hall
Richard, J.C. (1969): Introduction to Physical Hydrology
Balek, J. (1983): Development in Water Sciences 18: Hydrology and Water Resources in Tropical Regions, Elsevier
UNESCO (1978): Studies and Reports in Hydrology 25: World Water Balance and Water Resources of the Earth
Lecture Notes by A. Muwanga
7.Course Outline
The hydrological cycle
Definitions, the hydrological cycle, components, reservoirs
Evapotranspiration
Evaporation, transpiration, evapotranspiration , factors affecting evapotranspiration ; movement of water during
evapotranspiration, measurement of evaporation/evapotranspiration, estimation of evaporation/evapotranspiration by
calculation
Precipitation
Overview, forms of precipitation, formation of precipitation, types of precipitation
,
measurement
precipitation
- areal precipitation, areal analysis of precipitation data; rainfall Intensity, interception
of
Runoff and hydrographs
Channel precipitation, depression storage, infiltration, overland flow, shallow subsurface storm flow,
groundwater flow
; Hydrographs , hydrograph shape, the Unit Hydrograph, duration curves and
their practical applications.
Streams and stream flow
Stream gauging, discharge measurement, rating curve
Water balance
The water balance equation, discussion of components
Hydrological conditions in Africa
Precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff and river discharges – discharges in the different river basins
8. Suggested Teaching Programme
I. The hydrological cycle
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Definitions
The hydrological cycle
Components
Reservoirs
II. Evapotranspiration
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(1 week)
(3 weeks) Assignment 1
Evaporation
Transpiration
Evapotranspiration
o Factors affecting evapotranspiration
o Movement of water during evapotranspiration
o Measurement of evaporation/evapotranspiration
o Estimation of evaporation/evapotranspiration by calculation
TEST 1
III. Precipitation
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(3 weeks)
Assignment 3
Channel precipitation
Depression storage
Infiltration
Overland flow
Shallow subsurface storm flow,
Groundwater flow
o Hydrographs
o Hydrograph shape
o The Unit Hydrograph,
o Duration curves and their practical applications.
V. Streams and stream flow
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Assignment 2
Overview
Forms of precipitation
Formation of precipitation,
Types of precipitation
Measurement of precipitation
o Areal precipitation
o Areal analysis of precipitation data
o Rainfall Intensity, interception
IV. Runoff and hydrographs
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( 2 weeks)
Stream gauging
Discharge measurement
(2 weeks)
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Rating curve
VI. Water balance
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(1 week)
The water balance equation
Discussion of components
TEST 2
VII. Hydrological conditions in Africa
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(3 weeks) Assignment 4
Precipitation
Evapotranspiration
Runoff and river discharges
Discharges in the different river basins
o The Nile basin
o The Congo basin
o The Niger basin
o The Zambezi basin
9. Responsibility of the Student
Regular attendance, do all assignments and tests
10. Responsibility of the Lecturer
Regular and punctual teaching, accurate and prompt grading of assignments, tests and examinations and available to
students for consultation outside teaching hours.