Module Objectives

The course is an introduction to basic issues of Hydrology such as the hydrologic cycle and estimation techniques of hydrologic parameters.

Among the main objectives of the course is to empower students in better understanding of the hydrologic cycle on the earth, the knowledge of which is of particular importance for the integrated management of water resources of a catchment. The course also considers some of the practical aspects of collecting, analysing and estimating water cycle parameters for a drainage basin.

Course Content

Lecture: Definition and scope of Hydrology. The hydrologic cycle, methodologies of estimation of the hydrologic parameters (precipitation, runoff, evaporo-transpiration, infiltration, and runoff) values.

Methods of flood discharge estimation. Floods and flood control. Additionally, water recourses and water resources management issues are discussed and analyzed (Athens water supply system, natural and human induced floods, water resources management in Greece and Europe).

Laboratory: Quantitative estimation of the parameters of the hydrological cycle of a drainage basin, located in the North Peloponnese, using 20 years time period climatic data.

Teaching and Assessment

Duration: 13 weeks, lectures 1 hour / week and laboratory tutorials 2 hours/week. This happens for the first 6 weeks where the course of Hydrology is provided. Laboratory tutorials include five exercises, regarding estimation of precipitation, infiltration, evaporo-transpiration and runoff for a specific drainage basin. Exercises are handed out during the class (usually every week). Attendance of the laboratory tutorials is compulsory.

For the rest weeks of the semester water resources management issues are given (3hours / week lectures). Regarding water resources management a written work is required and is given by the end of the Semester.

Assessment method is a written exam at the end of the 6 first weeks of the Semester, after the lessons of Hydrology (30%). Implementation of the 5 Hydrology laboratory works counts for the 20% of the final result while the final written work of Water Resources Management counts for the 50% of the final result.