---
title: "Different aspects of hydrological study"
subject: "Engineering Hydrology"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_5/engineering_hydrology:prospects-hydrological-study"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/engineering_hydrology/prospects-hydrological-study
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Different aspects of hydrological study

Engineering Hydrology · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/engineering_hydrology/prospects-hydrological-study
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/engineering_hydrology/chapter-1

## Question

Explain different prospects of Hydrological study.

## Short answer

Prospects of hydrological study include scientific hydrology (water properties and movement), engineering hydrology (design floods and water supply), surface water hydrology (runoff and floods), groundwater hydrology (aquifers and wells), hydrometeorology (storm analysis), statistical and stochastic hydrology, water quality and environmental hydrology, and snow and glacier hydrology critical for Himalayan rivers.

## Answer

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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Engineering hydrology is:
   A. Study of water physics only
   B. Study of aquifers only
   C. Use of hydrologic data for planning, design and operation of water projects
   D. Study of pollution only
   Answer: C. It is the applied viewpoint. (Key point: Engineering hydrology)

2. Groundwater hydrology studies:
   A. Storm pattern
   B. Frequency analysis
   C. Glacier melt
   D. Aquifers, recharge and well yield
   Answer: D. It is also called hydrogeology. (Key point: Hydrogeology)

3. Hydrometeorology links:
   A. Atmosphere and water, e.g. PMP and forecasting
   B. Soil and crops
   C. Rock and water
   D. Rivers and sediment only
   Answer: A. It covers storms and forecasting. (Key point: Hydrometeorology)

4. Statistical hydrology uses:
   A. Aquifer tests
   B. Frequency analysis and time-series models
   C. Pollution sampling
   D. Glacier mapping
   Answer: B. Used for floods and droughts. (Key point: Statistical hydrology)

## Related in other subjects

- [Proposal; feasibility study of a road project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproposal-questions-feasibility-road) — Project Engineering, chapter 2
- [Pre-feasibility site-specific investigations](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aprefeasibility-site-investigations) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 2