GRM 3221
HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Department of Geography and
Resource Management (2/F, WFY Blg)
Second Term, 2008-2009
Lecturer: Prof. CHEN Yongqin, David 陳永勤 (Rm224A, 2609-6539, ydavidchen@cuhk.edu.hk)
Tutor: Mr. WANG Kai 王 凱 (Rm219, 2609-6233, chesswangkai@cuhk.edu.hk)
Lecture Time and Location: Monday 10:30-12:15, ELB 206
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a multidisciplinary science, hydrology deals with the occurrence, distribution, circulation, and
properties of water that pervades, links, and drives various components and processes of the natural
environment. The objectives of this course are to offer students a broad exposure to the basic
principles, laws, and techniques of hydrologic science and engineering and to help students
understand the water aspect of many environmental and resource management issues, such as water
pollution, aquatic habitat degradation, and urban flooding. Students are also encouraged to integrate
hydrology with other physical geography and environmental courses such as climatology,
geomorphology, and landscape ecology to develop a comprehensive understanding of the water
environment. In addition to classroom lectures, practicals dealing with hydrologic and climatic
analysis techniques and local visits of flood prevention facilities and urban water supply system will
help students gain technical skills and personal experiences in the utilization and management of
water resources.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Through a variety of teaching and learning activities, students will be expected to achieve the
outcomes of understanding the concepts, basic principles, and applications on the following topics in
the studies of hydrology and water resources.
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3.
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hydrologic cycle and the role of water in the physical and environmental systems
characteristics, processes, and estimation of major components of hydrologic cycle
interaction of various hydrologic components and its influence on water availability
water resources in China and the world
COURSE CONTENTS
Introduction to hydrologic science
Hydrologic cycle and water resources
Properties of water as a physical substance
Hydrologic quantities and units
Professional associations and scientific journals for hydrologists
Precipitation and interception
Formation and types of precipitation
Measurement of precipitation
Point and areal precipitation
Double mass and frequency analysis
The components of interception
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Influence of vegetation properties on interception
Soil moisture and infiltration
Hydraulic properties of soils
Soil-water relationships
Soil moisture release curve
Measurement and calculation of infiltration
Evaporation and transpiration
Processes of evaporation and transpiration
Estimating evaporation
Potential and actual evapotranspiration
Thornthwaite climatic water budget
Monthly water budget bookkeeping technique
Runoff generation and streamflow
Runoff components and generation
Streamflow measurement and calculation
Stage-discharge rating curve
Hydrograph components and analysis
SCS Runoff Curve Number technique
Rational method for peak flow estimation of urban watersheds
Groundwater storage and flow
Groundwater system and its interaction with surface water
Characterization of groundwater flow
Wells and groundwater protection
Water Resources Management
Water as a resource and water use
Hydrologic impacts of land use
Integrated watershed management
Water resources in China
World water resources
READING ASSIGNMENTS
Selected pages/chapters from the following books (* reserved in the Chung Chi Library) and other
sources will be assigned for readings. All reading materials will be reserved in the Reference Room
220 of the GRM Department in the Wong Foo Yuan Building.
1. Davie, T., 2003. Fundamentals of Hydrology. Routledge, London, England. (GB661.D38 2003)*
2. Dunne, T., and L.B. Leopold, 1978. Water in Environmental Planning. W.H. Freeman and
Company, New York, NY. (UL: TD160.D85)*
3. Viessman, W., Jr., and G.L. Lewis, 2003. Introduction to Hydrology, 5th Edition. Harper Collins
College Publishers, New York, NY. (UL: GB661.2.V44 2003)*
4. Ward, A.D., and W.J. Elliot, 2004. Environmental Hydrology, 2nd Edition. Lewis Publishers,
Boca Raton, Florida. (UL: GB665 W28 2004)*
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5. Speidel, D.H., L.C. Ruedisili, and A.F. Agnew (Eds.), 1988. Perspectives on Water –
Uses and Abuses. Oxford University Press, New York. (UL: TD345 S67 1988)
6. Brooks, K.N., P.F. Ffolliott, H.M. Gregersen, and L.F. DeBano, 1997. Hydrology and The
Management of Watersheds (2nd Edition). Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. (TC409 H93 1997)
COURSE ASSESSMENT
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Homework exercises (due 1 week after the lecture)
Practicals
Mid-term exam (March 2)
Final exam
10% (5×2 pts)
30% (5×6 pts)
20% (MC, fill-in-blank, short questions)
40% (MC, fill-in-blank , short questions)
Practical Sessions
Prac I:
Prac II:
Prac III:
Prac IV:
Prac V:
Use of Excel to develop unit conversion table and unit comparison graph
Sources of hydrologic data and developing hydrograph and hyetograph
Evaporation and climatic factors
Climatic water budgets for Hong Kong and Beijing
Precipitation excess for a design storm on a small watershed
Field Trip and Visit
Unless permission due to special reasons is given by the instructor, all students are required to
participate in the following two trips to be scheduled for March 2009.
(1) Visit to San Tin Flood Prevention Information Centre and other flood control facilities of the
Drainage Services Department in Yuen Long
(2) Visit to Ma On Shan Water Treatment Works
Important Notice
Your attention is drawn to the University policy and regulations on honesty in academic
work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such
policy and regulations, as contained in the website http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/
academichonesty/. Your assignment must be original except for source material explicitly
acknowledged, and the same or related material has not been previously submitted for
another course. You must follow the University policy and regulations to maintain academic
honesty for achieving the teaching and learning objectives of this course.
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