Course Overview
Focuses on the fundamental concepts of the hydrologic cycle and measurement of precipitation. The determination of drainage basins and catchments and analysis of the basin characteristics for determination of runoff coefficients will provide essential knowledge required for an understanding of the determination of runoff flows and assessment of hydrologic data for design purposes.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
2.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of each module, the student will be able to:
Module 1 - The Hydrologic Cycle
- Relate the nature of hydrology to uses of hydrologic data in the design decision process.
- State and define the components and relationships of the hydrologic cycle.
- State the units of measurement of the various cycle components.
Module 2 - The Hydrologic Equation (Water Balance)
- State and define the hydrologic equation and its terms.
- Perform basic water balance equations given the appropriate data.
Module 3 - Precipitation - Rainfall
- State and define the factors influencing precipitation.
- Define and state the relationship between rainfall intensity and duration.
- Describe the types of precipitation measurement devices and the resulting records produced.
- State and describe the basic storm types and the resulting intensity duration relationship.
Module 4 - Watershed Boundaries
- State and define the terms watershed, divide, drainage basin and catchment area.
- Determine divides and drainage basin boundaries from topographic mapping.
- Define a point of concentration and determine catchment area boundaries from topographic mapping.
- Identify and state the primary features of the basic drainage patterns.
- Determine or calculate the area of a drainage basin from topographic mapping using the grid method.
Module 5 - Watershed Characteristics
- State and define the seven basic characteristics of a watershed as related to a hydrologic study.
- Evaluate the characteristics of a catchment area and determine the relevant runoff coefficients 'R' from the standard table of values.
- Evaluate the characteristics of a catchment area and determine the relevant Manning's Coefficient 'n' from standard tables of values.
Module 6 - Introduction to the Rational Method
- State the rational equation in both metric and imperial forms and define the components in terms of units.
- State the assumptions of the rational method in design peak flow determination and the limitations of the rational method for major structure design flood flow determination.
- Calculate design peak flows based on the rational equation and given criteria.
Module 7 - Introduction to Road Drainage
- Define the terms 'drain' and 'drainage.'
- State and describe the problems associated with highway drainage and the procedures used to avoid those problems.
Effective as of Fall 2003
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.