HYDROLOGY vs. HYDRAULICS reservoir management, irrigation planning, and drought mitigation.

They
APPLICATION IN ENGINEERING PRACTICES determine the balance between water supply and water demand, ensuring
that water resources are used efficiently and equitably.
Hydrology and hydraulics are foundational to many engineering practices,
particularly in civil and environmental engineering. Here are some of the  Drainage Design
applications. In urban areas, impervious surfaces increase runoff, leading to flooding.
Hydrologists calculate runoff volumes and peak flows to design drainage
A. HYDROLOGY systems, such as storm sewers and detention ponds. They determine how
It focuses on the water cycle, explaining how water moves through the surface. much water will flow off roofs, roads, and parking lots during storms, and
Its applications are essential for understanding and managing water flow, design systems to safely convey it.
thereby mitigating flood risks and ensuring effective drainage.
 Flood Risk Assessment B. HYDRAULICS
Hydrologists analyse historical rainfall data, river flow records and In hydraulics, it applies fluid mechanics principles to analyse and design
watershed characteristics to determine the frequency and magnitude of systems that control water flow.
potential floods. This allows for the identification of flood-prone areas and  Design of Hydraulic Structures
assessment of flood risks. They calculate the probability of extreme rainfall Hydraulic engineers design dams, spillways, culverts and pipelines to safely
events and the resulting runoff, which helps in establishing design flood and efficiently convey water. They analyse forces exerted by water on these
levels for flood control structures. structures to ensure their stability. They use equations to calculate water
pressure, velocity and flow rates, ensuring that structures can withstand
 Design of Flood Control Structures the forces of flowing water.
Hydrological data is crucial for designing structures like dams, floodwalls
and etc. Hydrologists estimate the peak flow rates that these structures  Channel Design
must withstand, ensuring their capacity to handle extreme flood events. Hydraulics is used to design stable and efficient channels for rivers, canals
They also contribute to the design of reservoirs, which stores excess water and drainage ditches. It considers factors such as channel shape, slope and
during heavy rainfall and release it gradually to prevent downstream roughness to minimize erosion and maximize flow capacity.
flooding.
 Pipe Network Analysis
 Flood Forecasting Hydraulic engineers analyse water flow in pipe networks for water supply
Hydrological models are used to predict flood events based on real-time and wastewater systems. They determine pipe sizes, pump capacities and
rainfall data and river level measurements. By understanding how much pressure requirements to ensure adequate water delivery. They calculate
water a watershed can hold and how quickly it flows, engineers can create pressure losses in pipes, ensuring that water reaches its destination with
models that predict flood levels. By the use of computer models, such as the sufficient pressure.
HEC-HMS model, to simulate the water cycle and predict water levels. These
models enable the development of early warning systems, giving the  Erosion Control
communities time to prepare and evacuate. Hydraulics is used to design structures, such as riprap and retaining walls,
to protect riverbanks and shorelines from erosion. Engineers analyse the
 Stormwater Runoff Estimation forces of flowing water to determine the appropriate size and placement of
Hydrologists calculate the volume and rate of stormwater runoff from these structures.
urban and rural areas. This involves considering factors like rainfall
intensity, land cover and soil type. It is essential for designing drainage To conclude, hydrology tells us “how much water is there and where does it
systems that can effectively convey stormwater away from buildings and come from” whereas hydraulics tells us “how will the water flow through a
infrastructure. given structure”

 Water Resource Management