Different aspects of hydrological study

Hydrology can be studied from different viewpoints, each serving a practical need:

1. Scientific hydrology: the study of the occurrence, movement and properties of water for knowledge, such as the physics of precipitation, evaporation and infiltration.
2. Engineering hydrology: use of hydrologic data for planning, design and operation of water projects, such as design floods for spillways and bridges, and reservoir yield.
3. Surface water hydrology: rainfall, runoff, streamflow, floods, droughts and sediment.
4. Groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology): aquifers, recharge, well yield and groundwater development.
5. Hydrometeorology: the link between atmosphere and water, such as storms, probable maximum precipitation and forecasting.
6. Statistical and stochastic hydrology: frequency analysis and time-series models for floods and droughts.
7. Water quality and environmental hydrology: pollution, sediment, ecology and climate change effects.
8. Snow and glacier hydrology: important for the Himalayan rivers of Nepal.

Each aspect supports water supply, irrigation, hydropower, flood control, drainage and navigation.