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Hydrology

Hydrology

The hydro power plays very important role in the development of the country as it provides power at cheapest rate being perpetual source of energy. Nearly 20% of the total, world power is generated using hydro plants. There are some fortunate countries in the world where 99% of the nation's power' requirement is met by hydro power.

There are few countries like USSR and Nepal where vast hydro resources are yet to be harnessed. As per the estimate of the World power Organisation, the world hydro potential is roughly 5000 GW whereas only 200 GW is presently developed (4% only). Rain falling upon the earth surface has Potential energy relative to oceans towards it flows. This energy can be converted into shaft work passing through hydraulic prime mover and ultimately into electrical energy. The quantity of water available and head are equally important in the generation of power. The available head depends upon the selection of site for hydraulic power plant.

The site of the power plant is always selected for the highest available head when other things are in favour of site selection. The quantity of water available at the selected site depends upon the hy drological cycle of nature. The quantity of water available Can be determined from the study of rainfall and run off in that area or rainfall and run off decides the site for the power plant. As the availability of water depends on the natural phenomenon of rain, the maximum capacity of hydraulic generating plant is usually fixed on the basis of minimum quantity of water available. Usually storage reservoirs are constructed for such plants in order to store the water during peak periods of run off and supply the same during off peak periods of run off. The study of rainfall and run off is very important for the students before going to the study of hydro power engineering. This study helps in the design of dams, spillways and so on.

Hydrology The science which deals with rainfall and run off is known as hydrology. The evaporation of the water from the surfaces of river and oceans and its precipitation on the earth is known as hydrological cycle. The distribution of precipitation on the earth surface and beneath the earth is calculated with the help of hydrological considerations. Water is evaporated from plants, rivers; oceans and carried with the air in the form of vapour which is known as clouds. When the vapours in the atmosphere are cooled below dew point temperature. if fails in the form of water or snow depending on the atmospheric temperature. This evaporation and precipitation is a naturally Continuous process and therefore constitutes a perennial source of energy

Most of the water resources projects are multi purpose projects as irrigation, navigation, flood control and generation of electric power. Problems in the design of multi purpose projects usually are how much water is needed and how much is available. These are the most difficult problems to answer to all the design problems because it involves social, economic and engineering aspects.

The design of the project whether it is multi Purpose or single purpose depends upon the availability of water. Peak rates of flow are the basis of design of projects to control the excess water (Flood control) while volume of flow during longer periods of time is of interest in designing projects for use of water (irrigation or power generation or both). The answer to this question is found through the application of hydrology, the study of the occurence, and distribution of the natural waters on the earth. Many projects are designed to control the flood, irrigation and power generation if the quantity of water available is sufficient for the required purpose and  site is as per requirements. Many projects are designed only for irrigation purposes or power generation purposes. The flood control is one of the considerations in the design of the project whether it is designed for power generation or irrigation as it cannot be avoided. The design of multipurpose projects is always difficult compared with the single purpose project because requirements from multi purpose are varied.