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SLM310Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Watershed Hydrology

This course provides an introduction to watershed hydrology, examining watershed environments, properties, and management. It covers the basic understanding of watersheds, their classification, components, conditions, and problems. The course explores the hydrological cycle, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, storage, and surface runoff, and the processes affecting runoff generation. It also explores watershed management activities aimed at protecting and maintaining water resources and the environment.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Watershed HydrologyHydrological CycleWatershed ManagementRunoff GenerationWater Resources

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Watershed Characteristics

2

Hydrological Processes

3

Runoff Generation

4

Water Pollution

5

Channel Processes

6

Watershed Management

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Water Resource Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Hydrologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Conservation Planner

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental ConsultingWater Resources ManagementAgricultureUrban PlanningDisaster Management

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Water Shed Climate, Soils and Vegetation

12h

Unit 1: Watershed

6 study hours
  • •Define watershed and its importance.
  • •Identify and describe the components of a watershed.
  • •Explain the concept of a drainage basin and catchment area.

Unit 2: Components of Watershed

6 study hours
  • •Describe the uplands, floodplains, and stream channels within a watershed.
  • •Explain the role of groundwater and riparian zones.
  • •Discuss the hydrological and ecological functions of a watershed.
Week
2

Module 2: Watershed Classification and Characteristics

12h

Unit 1: Classification of Watershed

6 study hours
  • •Classify watersheds based on size and land use.
  • •Differentiate between small and large watersheds.
  • •Describe the characteristics of urban, agricultural, and forest watersheds.

Unit 2: Watershed Characteristics

6 study hours
  • •Define watershed characteristics and their influence on runoff.
  • •Describe the impact of size, shape, topography, and geology on watershed functions.
  • •Explain the role of climate, vegetation, and land use in watershed behavior.
Week
3

Module 3: Watershed Conditions and Problems

12h

Unit 1: Watershed Condition

6 study hours
  • •Discuss the conditions of a watershed, from pristine to degraded.
  • •State the characteristics of a healthy watershed.
  • •Explain how terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems interact.

Unit 2: Watershed Problems

6 study hours
  • •Describe the problems affecting watershed resources, including human activities and pollution.
  • •List human activities that degrade watersheds.
  • •Explain the effects of degradation on watersheds, such as reduced water quality and loss of habitat.
Week
4

Module 4: Hydrology

12h

Unit 1: Hydrological Processes

6 study hours
  • •Define hydrology and its relevance to water resources management.
  • •List the different types of water on Earth.
  • •Describe the main hydrological processes, including rainfall interception, runoff generation, and sediment transport.

Unit 2: Hydrologic Cycle

6 study hours
  • •Study the hydrologic cycle and its components.
  • •Explain the hydrological components like evaporation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.
  • •Describe the processes involved in the circulation of water.
Week
5

Module 4: Hydrology

12h

Unit 3: Surface Water and Ground Water

6 study hours
  • •Define surface and subsurface water.
  • •Describe the types of groundwater on Earth.
  • •State the importance of groundwater for drinking supply, irrigation, and river flow.

Unit 4: Water Pollution

6 study hours
  • •Define water pollution and its sources.
  • •Explain the main sources of water pollution, including point and non-point sources.
  • •Describe the various types of water pollutants and their causes.
Week
6

Module 5: Channel Processes

12h

Unit 1: Channel Processes

6 study hours
  • •Define channel processes and their role in river morphology.
  • •List the factors that determine sedimentation in river morphology.
  • •Describe the main ways of load transport by river channels: traction, saltation, suspension, and solution.

Unit 2: Erosion

6 study hours
  • •Define and describe erosion.
  • •Explain the various mechanisms involved in channel erosion: abrasion, hydraulic action, corrosion, and attrition.
Week
7

Module 5: Channel Processes

6h

Unit 3: Hydrographs

6 study hours
  • •Define hydrographs and their use in understanding stream flow.
  • •State the major components of a hydrograph: rising limb, crest segment, and recession limb.
  • •Explain how climatic, topographic, and geologic factors affect hydrograph shape.
Week
8

Module 6: Watershed Management

6h

Unit 1: Watershed Management

6 study hours
  • •Define watershed management and its goals.
  • •Explain the elements of watershed management: land, people, and management.
  • •Describe the objectives of watershed management, including protecting land, reducing soil erosion, and improving water quality.
Week
9

Module 6: Watershed Management

6h

Unit 2: Principles and Measures

6 study hours
  • •Define the basic principles of watershed management.
  • •Explain the objectives of watershed management, including rehabilitation, protection, and improvement.
  • •Describe important principles such as utilizing land according to its capability and conserving rainwater.
Week
10

Module 6: Watershed Management

6h

Unit 3: Integrated Watershed Management

6 study hours
  • •Explain integrated watershed management and its benefits.
  • •Describe the principles of watershed management, including protection and production.
  • •Discuss the importance of people's participation, training of personnel, and cost-sharing in watershed conservation.
Week
11

Revision

12h

Revision of Module 1 and Module 2

12 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Focus on key concepts and definitions.
  • •Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments.
Week
12

Revision

12h

Revision of Module 3 and Module 4

12 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Focus on key concepts and definitions.
  • •Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments.
Week
13

Revision

12h

Revision of Module 5 and Module 6

12 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Focus on key concepts and definitions.
  • •Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed outlines for each module, focusing on key definitions and concepts.

2

Practice drawing and labeling diagrams of the hydrologic cycle and watershed components.

3

Review case studies of successful and unsuccessful watershed management projects.

4

Work through sample problems related to runoff calculation and hydrograph analysis.

5

Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share notes.

6

Prioritize understanding the relationships between different watershed characteristics and their impact on water resources.

7

Focus on understanding the different types of water pollution and their sources.

8

Review all self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked assignments.

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