ABSTRACT
Hydrology has been defined as the study of the occurrence, circulation and distribution of water over the world's surface. As such, it covers a vast area of endeavour and is not the exclusive preserve of civil engineers. Engineering hydrology is concerned with the quantitative relationship between rainfall and 'runoff' (i.e. passage of water on the surface of the Earth) and, in particular, with the magnitude and time variations of runoff. This is because all water resource schemes require such estimates to be made before design of the relevant structures may proceed. Examples include reservoir design, flood alleviation schemes and land drainage. Each of these examples involves different aspects of engineering hydrology, and all involve subsequent hydraulic analysis before safe and economical structures can be constructed.
