1st Edition

Engineering Hydrology of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

By Mostafa M. Soliman Copyright 2010
    412 Pages 172 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    412 Pages 172 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The natural scarcity of water in arid and semiarid regions, aggravated by man-made factors, makes it difficult to achieve a reliable water resources supply. Communities in these areas pay the price for thousands of years of water manipulation. Presenting important insight into the complexities of arid region hydrology, Engineering Hydrology of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions explores the key components for formulating and implementing integrated management approaches in catchment (wadi) systems.

    The book introduces the engineering hydrology of arid and semi-arid regions, covering meteorological processes and hydrology. The author discusses precipitation and precipitation losses, catchment characteristics, and runoff estimation methods. He also examines streamflow measurements and hydrographs, flood routing, and groundwater hydrology, including the basic equations of groundwater flow and analytic solutions describing flow aquifers, pumping tests, and salt water intrusion. Building on this foundation, the book then delineates sediment yield in watersheds and streams and the design of hydraulic structures for protection and management of water resources systems. It includes case studies, conversion tables, and modeling software.

    During the last two decades, research efforts and networking have enhanced the state of knowledge about arid and semi-arid areas, especially watershed and catchment systems. Pulling this information together into a comprehensive resource, this book provides a better understanding of wadi hydrology, capacity-building processes, water education and training, and institutional development. This understanding can then be used to select the appropriate tools to support water management and optimize the sustainable use of water resources.

    "When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water"
    — Benjamin Franklin

    Introduction
    General Remarks
    Engineering Hydrology for Arid and Semiarid Regions
    Hydrologic Cycle
    Hydrologic Systems
    Wadi Hydrology
    Modeling
    References
    Bibliography 

    Meteorological Processes and Hydrology
    Introduction
    Solar and Earth Radiations
    Temperature
    Humidity
    Wind
    Climate Change
    References

    Precipitation
    Introduction
    Forms of Precipitation
    Measurement of Precipitation
    Precipitation Gauge Network
    Interpretation of Precipitation Data
    Average Precipitation over an Area
    Design Storms
    References
    Suggested Reading

    Precipitation Losses
    Introduction
    Evaporation
    Empirical Evaporation Equations
    Estimation of Evaporation by Analytical Methods
    Reservoir Evaporation and Methods for Its Reduction
    Evaporation and Transpiration
    Interception
    Surface Retention Loss
    Recommended Methods for Estimating Rainfall Losses
    Measurement of Infiltration
    Infiltration Indexes
    References

    Catchment Characteristics and Runoff
    Introduction
    Catchment Characteristics
    Estimation of Runoff
    References 

    Stream Flow Measurement
    Introduction
    Measurement of Stages
    Flow-Measuring Structures
    References

    Stream-Flow Hydrographs
    Introduction
    Characteristics of the Hydrograph
    Hydrograph Separation
    The Unit Hydrograph Concept
    Derivations of Unit Hydrographs from Simple Hydrogaphs
    Derivation of Unit Hydrograph from Complex Storms
    Unit Hydrographs for Various Durations
    Synthetic Unit Hydrographs
    Hydrograph of Overland Flow
    References
    Bibliography

    Flood Routing
    Introduction
    Hydraulic Routing Techniques
    Hydrologic Routing Techniques
    Case Study: Flood Routing for the HighAswan Dam Reservoir
    References

    Groundwater Hydrology
    Introduction
    Distribution of Subsurface Water
    Groundwater Flow Theories
    Hydraulics of the Well and Its Design
    SLUG Tests
    Groundwater Recharge
    Application
    Groundwater Pollution
    References

    Sediment Yield from Watersheds
    Introduction
    Sediment-Yield Theories
    Reservoir Sedimentation
    References

    Hydraulic Structures
    Introduction
    Crossing Works
    Control and Storage Works
    References
    Bibliography

    Case Studies
    Case Study 1 Water Resources Management in Wadi Naghamish at the North Coastal Zone of Egypt
    Case Study 2 Urbanization Impacts on the Hydrological System of Catchments in Arid and Semiarid Regions
    Case Study 3 Runoff Simulation Using Different Precipitation Loss Methods
    Case Study 4 Design of Salboukh Flood Control System, in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    Appendix A: Conversion Tables
    Appendix B: Glossary
    Appendix C: Statistics and Stochastic Analysis in Hydrology
    Appendix D: A Simplified Model for Hydrograph Development in Arid and Semiarid Regions
    Index

    Biography

    Mostafa M. Soliman

    "… thorough and detailed presentation of basic and advanced concepts of the field of hydrology interwoven with both theoretical and practical engineering applications specific to arid and semi-arid … a thoughtful and well-organized textbook that is suitable for upper-level bachelor’s and master’s-level engineering students and practicing geologic and engineering professionals alike."
    Carbonates Evaporites, 2011