Hydrological Monitoring and Modeling for Conservation of Natural Resources on Watershed Basis

Abstract

Hydrology deals with the occurrence, circulation and distribution of water of the earth and earth’s atmosphere. Applied hydrology includes predicting various hydrological processes, engineering storm water conveyance systems, soil loss estimations, and many other water management tasks. Water circulates in the hydrosphere through the maze of paths constituting the hydrologic cycle. The hydrologic cycle is a continuous process by which water is transported from ocean to the atmosphere to the land and back to sea. The cycle emphasizes the four phases of interest to the hydrologist precipitation, evaporation and transpiration, surface stream flow, and ground water. Watershed/ drainage area is the hydrological unit which drains the water through single outlet. Catchment area affords a logical and convenient unit to study various aspects related to the hydrology and water resources of a region. Management of a watershed thus entails the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production but with minimum hazard to natural and human resources. Planning and development of hilly watersheds calls for rigorous understanding about the occurrence and movement of water in the surface and subsurface systems along with soil and nutrient losses. Most applications of hydrology are dependent upon monitoring and modeling of various hydrological processes for conservation and management of natural resources on watershed basis