Surface Water Hydrology

EXAM JAN 2019

SURFACE WATER

1. Explain what is baseflow and storm flow? How can you separate them? Explain all the

processes involved.

2. Explain the precipitation losses, and give values to each loss.

3. Explain the common responses of a unit hydrograph and how do you derive them, explain all

the assumptions.

4. Muskingum exercise. Graph the semigraphical method and find X and K values.

5. Explain the different ways to classify hydrological models.

6. Explain the main uncertainties in hydrological modelling.

Exam 2017

-Derive the muskingum equation. What is it ? Wherefore it is used? Discuss the parameters in the Muskingum formule: how are they calculated, what is their meaning?

- Calculation of ponding time, exercise question from page number 42 in the course material

-the rainfall rate response for each kind of rainfall input (step, impulse, response)

-linear reservoir

-explain the Green and Ampt method and make the link with Darcy's law

-discuss the different processes which generate storm runoff

-calculate the UH for 1 hour (UH for 30 minutes is given)

-how to separate infiltration and runoff in models?

-link between linear reservoir models and UH-concept

-what is an IDF, how to derive the equations, how to use it?

-calculate the UH for a given dataset

-explain Mein and Larson

-calculate q, U and N are given (convolution)

Exam 2009

Set 1:

Calibration of model:

- Newton-Raphson

- Local and global search algorithms

- Goal residual-analysis + discuss different steps

Floodrouting:

- difference hydrologic and hydraulic regime

- difference river and reservoir routing

- method of Muskingum

Set 2:

Net rainfall:

- Green and Ampt

- Mein and Larson scheme

- discuss infiltration

Stochastic models:

- what is persistence + test

- general solution method

- yearly volume drainage

June 2007

1 Flooding routing (20)

1.1 What are the major differences between the hydrologic and the hydraulic routing

methods? (4)

1.2 Derive the equations for the Muskingum method (6)

1.3 Describe the semi-graphical method for calibrating the k and x parameters of the

Muskingum method (6)

1.4 What is the meaning of k and x? (4)

2 Model calibration (20)

2.1 What are the different steps for a model calibration? (10)

2.2 What is the difference between a global and a local search for model calibration? (5)

2.3 What is a residual analysis? What is the purpose of a residual analysis? (5)

June 2005

Set 1:

Storm runoff

• Explain the concepts of baseflow and storm runoff. How can they be separated?

• Discuss the different processes that can generate storm runoff?

• Explain the partial area – variable source concept

Green & Ampt infiltration

• Derive the Green & Ampt infiltration equation

• Discuss the assumptions

• Discuss the parameters

• Calculate the time of ponding for the following parameters

o K= 1 cm/h

o Suction = 15 cm

o M = 0.2

o Consider a constant rainfall intensity of 15 mm/h

• Explain: the Mein and Larson model

Set 2:

Modelling

• Explain the difference between a model and distributed model

• Explain the difference between a conceptual and a physically based model

• For what type of problems will you use a physically based model. Motivate your answer.

Surface runoff

• Single linear reservoirs

Starting the inflow at time t0 with outflow q0, the outflow of a linear reservoir is calculated as

q(t) =

Assume that the system starts from the rest

Calculate the outflow of the reservoir for a constant rainfall intensity starting at time 0.

• Reservoirs in series

Assume that 2 linear reservoirs are put in series. Assume the same input as before. Calculate the

outflow form the second reservoir.

• Explain how the linear reservoir models can be linked to the unit hydrograph method.