Catalog Description: Basic hydrologic principles, hydrologic measurements, small and midsize catchment hydrology, frequency analysis, regional analysis, reservoir, stream channel, and catchment routing, hydrologic design.

Prerequisites by course: CIV E 444 with a minimum grade of C.

Prerequisites by topic: Calculus, probability and statistics, fluid mechanics, hydraulics.

Textbook: Ponce, Victor M., Engineering Hydrology, Principles and Practices, First Edition, Prentice Hall.

Other required material: (1) J. McPhee, The Control of Nature. (2) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Influences of Vegetation and Watershed Treatments on Runoff, Silting, and Streamflow.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to: (1) Understand the hydrologic cycle and its application to civil engineering analysis and design; (2) Analyze the various components of the hydrologic cycle, and their spatial and temporal variability; (3) Utilize established methods and techniques for the calculation of hydrologic processes, including programming, spread-sheet, and web-based applications; (4) Write web-based and other essays and commentary on technical hydrologic reports; and (5) Design simple components of hydrologic systems, such as emergency spillways and channels.

Topics Covered:
1. Introduction (2 lectures)
2. Basic Hydrologic Principles (4 lectures)
3. Hydrologic Measurements (2 lectures)
4. Hydrology of Small Catchments (2 lectures)
5. Hydrology of Midsize Catchments (2 lectures)
6. Frequency Analysis (2 lectures)
7. Regional Analysis (2 lectures)
8. Reservoir Routing (2 lectures)
9. Stream Channel Routing (2 lectures)
10. Catchment Routing (2 lectures)
11. Hydrologic Design (2 lectures)
12. Web appplications (2 lectures)

Class Schedule: Two lectures per week; 1.25 -hour each lecture.

Contribution of course to the professional component: Engineering Science: 1 unit (33%). Engineering Design: 2 units (67%).

Relationship to program outcomes:

1. Ability to apply knowledge of math, science and engineering appropriate to the discipline. In all covered topics, students are required to perform calculations which utilize knowledge of math, geometry, physics, calculus, statistics, and differential equations. Homework is designed so provide students a good grasp of the fundamentals of hydrologic science and of its engineering applications, including analysis and design.

2. Ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data. Students are required to run computer programs which have as end product the design of a hydrologic system or component, for instance, an emergency spillway or a channel. Students are required to analyze and interpret data in connection with applications in water balance, flood discharge, frequency analysis, statistical analysis, and routing.

3. Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. Students determine the size of an emergency spillway to pass a certain design flood discharge. The design flood discharge is calculated a priori by using established methods of hydrologic abstraction, unit hydrograph and channel routing.

4. Ability to communicate effectively. The three exams have a 30% written essay component. Students are required to prepare a web-based report with summary and comments on a professional technical report on hydrology (Prof. V. M. Ponce's web-based report on the flood hydrology of Alamar Creek). This exercise leads to a paperless report, which gives them much-needed web experience.

5. Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning. Students are required to read sections 1 and 3 of J. McPhee's book entitled The Control of Nature. This exercise teaches them that hydrology and hydrologic engineering is complex, with many ramifications across the disciplines (technical, geographical, social, and political). Students are required to read the entire USDA report entitled Influences of vegetation and watershed treatments on runoff, silting, and streamflow. This teaches them that the practice of hydrology and hydrologic engineering requires an open mind with respect to other disciplines, and constant learning across fields. The need for life-long learning is emphasized in class based on the examples discussed.

6. Ability to use techniques and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. Students are required to use models, methods, and techniques currently available to solve hydrologic engineering problems, such as the rational method, runoff curve number, unit hydrograph, flood-frequency methods, storage-indication method, and Muskingum routing. Students are required to run several web-based computer programs that perform hydrologic calculations (TR-55, PEARSON, GUMBEL), and are briefly exposed to standard-practice models such as HEC-HMS.

Prepared by: Victor M. Ponce.

Date: February 26, 2002.