BEC 208 - Hydraulics and Hydrology

CHAPTER 3
INTRODUCTION TO HYDROLOGY
EXAMPLE 3.1
For a given month, a 121 ha lake has 0.43 m3/s of inflow, 0.37 m3/s of
outflow, and the total storage increase of 1.97 ha-m. A USGS gauge
next to the lake recorded a total of 3.3 cm precipitation for the lake for
the month. Assuming that infiltration loss is insignificant for the lake,
determine the evaporation loss, in cm over the lake for the month.

Solution
Given,

3.3 cm

0.43 m3/s

0.37 m3/s

1.97 ha-m

Area, A

121 ha

Solving the water balance for Inflow, I and Outflow, O in a lake

gives,

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BEC 208 - Hydraulics and Hydrology

EXAMPLE 3.2
At a particular time, the storage in a river reach is 60 x 103 m3. At that
time, the inflow into the reach is 10 m3/s and the outflow is 16 m3/s.
after two hours, the inflow and the outflow are 18 m3/s and 20 m3/s
respectively. Determine the change in storage during two hours period
and the storage volume after two hours.

Solution
Given,

I1

10 m3/s

I2

18 m3/s

O1

16 m3/s

O2

20 m3/s

S1

60 x 103 m3

2 hours x 60 min x 60 s

= 7200 s

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BEC 208 - Hydraulics and Hydrology

EXAMPLE 3.3
At a water elevation of 6391 ft, Kenyir Lake has a volume of 2, 939,
000 ac-ft, and a surface area, A of 48, 100 ac. Annual inputs to the
lake include 8.0 in. of direct precipitation, runoff from gauged streams
of 150, 000 ac-ft per year, and ungauged runoff and groundwater
inflow of 37, 000 ac-ft per year. Evaporation is 45 inch. per year.
Make a water budget showing inputs, in ac-ft per year.
(*Note : 1 ac = 43, 560 ft2, 1 cm = 0.394 in, 1 in = 0.083 ft)

Solution
Given,

Water Elevation, EL

6391 ft

Volume of lake, V

2, 939, 000 ac-ft

Area, A

48, 100 ac

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