Surface-water hydrology is a field that encompasses all surface waters of the globe (overland flows, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, oceans, etc.). This is a subset of the hydrologic cycle that does not include atmospheric, and ground waters.
Surface-water hydrology relates the dynamics of flow in surface-water systems (rivers, canals, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, marshes, arroyos, oceans, etc.).
This includes:
- the field measurement of flow (discharge);
- the statistical variability at each setting;
- floods;
- drought susceptibility and the development of the levels of risk; and
- the fluid mechanics of surface waters.
In-depth analysis of surface-water components of the hydrologic cycle:
- hydrometeorology;
- evaporation/transpiration;
- rainfall-runoff relationships;
- open-channel flow;
- flood hydrology;
- fluid mechanics; and
- statistical and probabilistic methods in hydrology.
Surface-water hydrology includes the relation between rainfall and surface runoff; this relationship is an important aspect of water resources for sewerage (wastewater or sewage), drinking water, agriculture (irrigation) environmental protection, and for flood control.
We specialize in the following aspects:
- River flood peak and associated flood line determination;
- Surface water resources evaluation;
- Water allocation and sharing; and
- Storm water system analysis and design.