Module Identifier

WS20310

Module Title

DYNAMICS OF HYDROLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Academic Year

2008/2009

Co-ordinator

Dr Stephen Tooth

Semester

Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	10 x 1 hr
Practical	4 x 1 hr

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	4 problem sets	50%
Semester Exam	2 Hours 1 x 2 hr written examination	50%
Supplementary Exam	Resit: 2 hrs written examination	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

outline the main flow processes operating in river channels, on hillslopes and in the ground;

describe how these flow processes interact with the movement of sediment in channels and on hillslopes;

demonstrate how these flow and sediment processes and their interactions can be represented and analysed quantitatively.

Aims

This module is designed to provide students with a conceptual, factual and practical introduction to the dynamics of hydrological systems, with particular reference to the flow of water and transport of sediment in channels, on hillslopes and in the ground (as soil or groundwater). The emphasis is on dynamics over short timescales and small areas, and how these dynamics can be represented quantitatively.

Content

Introduction: properties of fluids
Flow in alluvial channels
Flow resistance
Flow resistance in sand-bed rivers
Flow resistance in gravel-bed and boulder-bed rivers
Sediment transport in rivers
Flow and sediment transport on hillslopes
Groundwater movement

Problem set 1 - Morphometric and hydraulic parameters of river channels
Problem set 2 - Regimes of fixed-bed flow
Problem set 3 - Bedforms in sand
Problem set 4 - Predictive equations for ephemeral gully width

Reading List

Recommended Text
Gordon, N.D., McMahon, T.A., Finlayson, B.L., Gippel, C.J., and Nathan, R.J. (2004) Stream Hydrology: An Introduction for Ecologists 2nd edition John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 526pp. Primo search Knighton, A.D. (1998) Fluvial Forms and Processes: A New Perspective Arnold, London Primo search Robert, A. (2003) River Processes: An Introduction to Fluvial Dynamics Arnold, London Primo search Consult For Futher Information
Billi, P., Hey, R.D., Thorne, C.R. and Tacconi, P. (eds) (1992) Dynamics of Gravel-Bed Rivers John Wiley and Sons, Chichester Primo search Bridge, J.S. (2003) Rivers in Floodplains: Forms, Processes, and Sedimentary Records Blackwell, Oxford Primo search Hey, R.D., Bathurst, J.C. and Thorne, C.R. (eds) (1982) Gravel-Bed Rivers: Fluvial Processes, Engineering and Management John Wiley and Sons, Chichester Primo search Richards, K.S. (1982) Rivers: Form and Process in Alluvial Channels Methuen, London Primo search Thorne, C.R., Bathurst, J.C., and Hey, R.D. (eds) (1987) Sediment Transport in Gravel-Bed Rivers John Wiley and Sons, Chichester Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5