---

Search in courseware title (comma separated words can be used) Advanced search Share courseware

---

Open courseware in water

---

---

Surface water

Offered by: The Open University
Type: Tutorial
Keywords: Surface water, basic hydrology, land use

Description of open courseware

Source: Open University website. Visit Open University website for more information

Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a sustainable source of water for the future. In the UK there are areas where water supplies are limited, shown by recent droughts. Globally, there are many areas that do not have enough water to support the currently population adequately. Decisions will have to be made on the best way to use water in a world where there is climate change.

By the end of this unit you should be able to:
• list the types of springs, and how each type relates to a different geological setting;
• use hydrographs to distinguish overland flow and interflow from baseflow, and make inferences about the climate of an area;
• explain how various changes in land use in a river catchment will change the hydrograph of a river;
• distinguish the different types of reservoir construction, and decide whether a particular area would be suitable for a reservoir, suggest the most suitable type of dam for a site, and summarize the side-effects of constructing reservoirs.

More information (external link to the study material)

Your feedback View comments

---