CE 326 HYDROLOGY
TAKE HOME QUIZ 1
Part I: True or False (1 point each). Write your answers on the space provided.
1. The hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's
surface. TRUE
2. The Thiessen Polygon method assumes uniform precipitation distribution across an area. FALSE
3. The water budget equation is expressed as P=E+R+ΔS, where P is precipitation, E is evaporation, R
is runoff, and ΔS is the change in storage. TRUE
4. An increase in the number of rain gauges in a region always leads to more accurate rainfall data.
FALSE
Part II: Multiple Choice (1 point each). Encircle your answers.
5. Which of the following is NOT a form of precipitation?
a) Rain b) Hail c) Fog d) Snow
6. What is the primary purpose of estimating missing precipitation data in hydrology?
a) To reduce errors in streamflow calculations c) To improve weather forecasts
b) To increase the number of rain gauges d) To reduce evaporation losses
7. Which method gives more weight to rainfall stations closer to the area of interest?
a) Arithmetic Mean c) Isohyetal Method
b) Thiessen Polygon Method d) Hydrologic Budget Method
8. What is the most common unit used to measure precipitation depth?
a) Liters per second b) Cubic meters c) Millimeters d) Inches per second
9. Why is the adequacy of rainfall stations important in hydrology?
a) To determine evaporation losses in an area
b) To ensure that the spatial variability of rainfall is well-represented
c) To provide accurate estimates of groundwater levels
d) To reduce surface runoff
Part III: Essay. Write your answers on the space provided.
10. Explain the significance of the hydrologic cycle in water resources management. (2 pts)
The hydrologic cycle regulates water availability by continuously moving water through
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration. It helps manage water resources by
predicting supply, controlling floods, and sustaining ecosystems. Understanding it allows
engineers to develop efficient water conservation, storage, and distribution systems.
11. Describe the different methods used to measure precipitation and discuss their limitations. (2 pts)
Rain gauges: Simple but provide localized data.
Radar: Covers large areas but requires calibration.
Satellite: Provides global data but lacks ground-level accuracy.
Weighing gauges: Accurate but expensive and maintenance-intensive.
12. How does climate change impact precipitation patterns, and what measures can engineers take to
mitigate these effects? (2pts)
Climate change alters precipitation patterns, causing droughts or floods. Engineers can mitigate
effects through improved drainage, flood control structures, water-efficient designs, and
sustainable urban planning. Climate-resilient infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, and
reforestation also help manage water resources effectively.
Part IV: Problem Solving (3 points each). Show your solutions, utilize the back of the paper.
13. A 10 ha. watershed receives an annual precipitation of 1,200 mm. If the evaporation loss is 450 mm
and runoff is 500 mm, calculate the change in storage.
Given:
R = 1200mm
E = 450mm
R = 500mm
. .
Area = 10 ha. x = 100,000sq.m.
.
Solution:
P = 1200mm x 100,000sq.m. = 120,000,000 cu.m.
E = 450mm x 100,000sq.m. = 45,000,000 cu.m.
R = 500mm x 100,000sq.m. = 50,000,000 cu.m.
ΔS = P – E – R = 25,000,000 cu.m.
14. Compute the mean precipitation over the area using the Arithmetic Mean Method, given that a
storm event was recorded at three rain gauges as follows:
Station Rainfall
A 85 mm
B 90 mm
C 95 mm
P= = 90mm
15. Determine the weighted average precipitation of the following station data and corresponding area
weights: Use Thiessen Polygon Method.
Station Rainfall Weight
X 70 mm 0.3
Y 80 mm 0.5
Z 60 mm 0.2
P = (70mm x 0.3) + (80mm x 0.5) + (60mm x 0.2) = 73mm
16. A rain gauge at Station P is missing data for a given day. The normal annual precipitation for the
stations A, B, and P is 1,100 mm, 1,250 mm, and 1,200 mm. respectively. The recorded
precipitation for the day at stations A and B are 15 mm and 18 mm, respectively. Estimate the
missing precipitation at Station P using the Normal Ratio Method.
P= + + ⋯+
P= + = 16.82mm
17. A hydrologist wants to determine whether a region’s rain gauge network is sufficient. If the annual
precipitation of four stations are 65 mm, 90 mm, 85 mm, and 58 mm, whilst, the standard deviation
is 250 mm, determine the minimum number of rain gauges required considering E = 8.5%
allowable error. BONUS (error in the problem)
A hydrologist wants to determine whether a region’s rain gauge network is sufficient. If the annual
precipitation of four stations are 65 mm, 90 mm, 85 mm, and 58 mm, whilst, the standard deviation is 250
mm, determine the minimum number of rain gauges required considering E = 8.5% allowable error.
𝑃= = 74.5
(65 − 74.5) + (90 − 74.5) + (85 − 74.5) +(55 − 74.5)
𝜎 = = 16.5429
3
× × .
𝐶 = = = 22.2052
.
𝐶 22.2052
𝑁= = = 6.82 ~ 6 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝜀 8.5
Quiz 2
