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2.5. Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering (WRH)
This knowledge area encompasses the analysis, design, and management of water resources systems, hydraulic structures, and water distribution networks for sustainable water supply, flood control, and environmental protection.
2.5.1. WRH/Hydrologic Cycle and Water Balance (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Topics:
Core
- Hydrologic cycle and water balance concepts
- Precipitation measurement and analysis
- Evaporation and evapotranspiration estimation
- Infiltration theory and rainfall-runoff processes
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Explain the hydrologic cycle and quantify water balance components [Familiarity]
- Analyze precipitation data and develop depth-area-duration relationships [Assessment]
- Estimate evaporation and evapotranspiration using empirical methods [Usage]
- Apply infiltration models to estimate runoff from rainfall events [Assessment]
2.5.2. WRH/Surface Hydrology and Watershed Modeling (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Topics:
Core
- Hydrograph analysis and unit hydrograph method
- Watershed modeling and hydrologic simulation
- Streamflow measurement and gauging techniques
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Derive unit hydrographs and synthesize runoff hydrographs [Usage]
- Develop watershed models using software tools for hydrologic simulation [Usage]
- Conduct streamflow measurements and interpret flow duration curves [Assessment]
2.5.3. WRH/Flood Frequency Analysis and Climate Change (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Topics:
Core
- Flood frequency analysis and design storms
- Hydrologic routing methods for channels and reservoirs
- Climate change impacts on hydrologic systems
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Perform flood frequency analysis using statistical methods [Assessment]
- Route flood hydrographs through channels and reservoirs [Usage]
- Evaluate climate change impacts on watershed hydrology and design implications [Assessment]
2.5.4. WRH/Open Channel Flow and River Mechanics (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Principles of flow in open channels, channel hydraulics, uniform and gradually varied flow, and river engineering applications.
Topics:
Core
- Channel flow classification and hydraulic elements
- Energy and momentum principles in open channels
- Uniform flow and Manning's equation
- Critical flow and specific energy concepts
- Gradually varied flow profiles
- Hydraulic jump and rapidly varied flow
- Channel design for stable conveyance
- Sediment transport in open channels
- River morphology and channel stability
- Scour analysis and protection measures
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Classify open channel flow regimes and calculate hydraulic elements [Familiarity]
- Apply energy and momentum equations to solve channel flow problems [Assessment]
- Calculate normal depth and discharge using Manning's equation [Usage]
- Determine critical depth and analyze specific energy relationships [Assessment]
- Compute gradually varied flow profiles using standard methods [Usage]
- Analyze hydraulic jumps and calculate energy dissipation [Assessment]
- Design stable channels with appropriate cross-sections and linings [Usage]
- Estimate sediment transport rates in alluvial channels [Assessment]
- Evaluate river channel stability and bank erosion potential [Familiarity]
- Predict scour depths at hydraulic structures and design protection [Assessment]
2.5.5. WRH/Pressurized Pipe Flow and Pump Systems (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Analysis and design of pressurized pipe networks, pump selection and system curves, water hammer, and pipeline design.
Topics:
Core
- Pipe flow fundamentals and Darcy-Weisbach equation
- Minor losses and pipe system analysis
- Pipe network analysis methods
- Pump characteristics and system curves
- Pump selection and installation requirements
- Water hammer and surge analysis
- Pipeline design and material selection
- Variable speed pumps and energy efficiency
- Network modeling and optimization
- Valve selection and hydraulic control systems
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Calculate head losses in pipe systems using friction equations [Assessment]
- Determine total head loss including minor losses in complex piping [Usage]
- Analyze pipe networks using Hardy Cross or equivalent methods [Assessment]
- Construct pump characteristic curves and system head curves [Usage]
- Select appropriate pumps based on operating point and efficiency [Assessment]
- Evaluate water hammer effects and design surge protection [Usage]
- Design pipelines considering hydraulic, structural, and economic factors [Assessment]
- Apply variable speed drives for pump system optimization [Usage]
- Optimize water distribution networks using modeling software [Assessment]
- Specify valves and control systems for pipeline operations [Usage]
2.5.6. WRH/Design of Hydraulic Structures (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Design of dams, spillways, weirs, gates, stilling basins, and other hydraulic control and conveyance structures.
Topics:
Core
- Dam types and selection criteria
- Spillway hydraulics and design
- Weir and gate flow equations
- Energy dissipation and stilling basin design
- Culvert hydraulics and design
- Dam safety analysis and risk assessment
- Outlet works and control structures
- Fish passage facilities and environmental hydraulics
- Cavitation analysis and prevention
- Physical hydraulic modeling and scale effects
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Classify dam types and select appropriate configurations for site conditions [Familiarity]
- Design spillways for flood discharge capacity [Assessment]
- Calculate discharge over weirs and through gates [Usage]
- Proportion energy dissipation structures and stilling basins [Assessment]
- Analyze culvert hydraulics for inlet and outlet control [Usage]
- Perform dam safety evaluations and hazard classification [Assessment]
- Design outlet works including intake structures and conduits [Usage]
- Incorporate fish passage requirements in hydraulic structure design [Assessment]
- Evaluate cavitation potential and design preventive measures [Usage]
- Interpret physical model results and apply scale corrections [Assessment]
2.5.7. WRH/Urban Water Systems (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Design and analysis of urban water supply distribution systems, stormwater management, and urban drainage infrastructure.
Topics:
Core
- Water demand estimation and distribution system design
- Distribution network analysis and modeling
- Water quality considerations in distribution systems
- Stormwater runoff estimation using rational method
- Storm sewer design and hydraulic analysis
- Urban drainage best management practices
- Advanced water distribution system modeling
- Detention and retention facility design
- Green infrastructure and low impact development
- Combined sewer systems and overflow control
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Estimate water demands and design distribution system capacity [Assessment]
- Analyze distribution networks for pressure and flow adequacy [Usage]
- Address water quality issues including disinfection and corrosion [Familiarity]
- Calculate stormwater runoff using the rational method [Assessment]
- Design storm sewer systems following hydraulic grade line principles [Usage]
- Implement stormwater best management practices for runoff control [Assessment]
- Develop advanced water distribution models for system optimization [Usage]
- Proportion detention and retention basins for peak flow reduction [Assessment]
- Apply green infrastructure techniques for sustainable stormwater management [Usage]
- Evaluate combined sewer overflow issues and design control measures [Assessment]
2.5.8. WRH/Groundwater Hydrology (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Principles of groundwater flow, well hydraulics, aquifer assessment and modeling, and groundwater-surface water interaction for water resources development.
Topics:
Core
- Aquifer types: confined, unconfined, and semi-confined
- Darcy's law applied to groundwater flow and hydraulic conductivity
- Well hydraulics: Theis and Thiem equations for transient and steady-state flow
- Pumping tests and estimation of hydrogeologic parameters (transmissivity, storativity)
- Numerical modeling of groundwater flow and aquifer water balance
- Groundwater-surface water interaction and conjunctive use of resources
- Groundwater quality and basic contaminant transport
- Design and construction of water supply wells
- Sustainable aquifer management and prevention of overexploitation
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Classify aquifer types and describe their hydraulic boundary conditions [Familiarity]
- Apply Darcy's law to calculate groundwater flow rates and velocities [Usage]
- Solve the Theis and Thiem equations to determine drawdown in pumping wells [Assessment]
- Estimate hydrogeologic parameters from pumping test data [Usage]
- Model the water balance of an aquifer and evaluate exploitation scenarios [Assessment]
- Design a water supply well accounting for aquifer characteristics [Usage]
- Evaluate the sustainability of aquifer exploitation and propose management measures [Assessment]
2.5.9. WRH/Economic, Financial and Social Evaluation of Water Resources Projects (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Economic, financial, and social evaluation methodologies for selecting among water resources project alternatives, including profitability indicators, sensitivity analysis, and financing mechanisms.
Topics:
Core
- Economic evaluation indicators: Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Benefit-Cost ratio
- Selecting among project alternatives by comparing economic indicators
- Sensitivity analysis to variations in costs, benefits, and discount rate
- Funding sources and financial structuring of water projects
- User payment capacity and tariff schemes
- Cost allocation among beneficiaries in multipurpose projects
- Social evaluation of projects: exchange theory and shadow prices
- Distributional impacts and equity in project social evaluation
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Calculate NPV, IRR, and Benefit-Cost ratio for a water resources project [Usage]
- Select among project alternatives based on compared economic indicators [Assessment]
- Perform a sensitivity analysis of project profitability to changes in key variables [Usage]
- Evaluate funding sources and tariff schemes based on user payment capacity [Assessment]
- Allocate costs among beneficiaries in a multipurpose project [Usage]
- Apply social evaluation principles to estimate a project's net benefit to society [Assessment]
2.5.10. WRH/Sediment Transport in Alluvial Channels (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Watershed erosion, sediment properties, flow resistance and incipient motion in alluvial channels, and methods for measuring and computing bed load, suspended load, and total sediment transport.
Topics:
Core
- Watershed erosion and sediment yield
- Physical properties of sediment: size, shape, density, and fall velocity
- Flow in sand and gravel channels and associated bedforms
- Flow resistance in alluvial channels
- Incipient motion condition and design of erodible channels
- Fundamentals and techniques for measuring sediment transport
- Bed load sediment transport
- Suspended load sediment transport
- Sediment entry into intakes and diversion structures
- Total sediment load transport formulas
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Explain watershed erosion processes and their relation to sediment yield [Familiarity]
- Classify sediments by their physical properties and estimate their fall velocity [Usage]
- Determine the incipient motion condition for a given alluvial channel [Assessment]
- Calculate flow resistance in an alluvial channel accounting for bedforms [Usage]
- Estimate bed load and suspended load transport rates using standard formulas [Assessment]
- Apply total sediment load formulas to an alluvial channel design problem [Usage]
- Evaluate sediment entry into an intake and propose exclusion measures [Assessment]
2.5.11. WRH/Scour and Fluvial Morphology (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Fundamentals and computation of general and local scour, long-term bed elevation changes, fluvial cycles and processes, alluvial channel geometry and stability, and the Lane balance for the qualitative analysis of channel response.
Topics:
Core
- Scour fundamentals and long-term bed elevation changes
- Computation of general scour
- Local scour from contractions, bends, and confluences
- Local scour at bridge piers and abutments
- Fluvial morphology cycles and processes
- Shape, geometry, and stability of alluvial channels
- Lane balance: qualitative channel response and modeling
- Interaction between highway infrastructure and natural streams
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Calculate the general scour depth in a channel reach [Assessment]
- Determine local scour from contraction and at bridge piers and abutments [Usage]
- Analyze long-term bed elevation changes in a fluvial reach [Assessment]
- Describe the cycles and processes governing alluvial channel morphology [Familiarity]
- Apply the Lane balance to predict the qualitative response of a channel to changes in its variables [Usage]
- Evaluate interaction problems between highway infrastructure and natural streams [Assessment]
2.5.12. WRH/River Engineering (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Design of channel stabilization and bank protection structures, reservoir sedimentation management, and the fundamentals of river navigation.
Topics:
Core
- Channel stabilization: design criteria and examples
- Control structures for riverbank protection
- Design of riprap, gabions, and protective filters
- Practical design considerations for river protection works
- Reservoir sedimentation and dead storage volume
- Trap efficiency and management of reservoir sedimentation
- Analytical fundamentals of river navigation
- River navigation paradigms and port conditioning
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Design a channel stabilization structure for a given reach [Usage]
- Select and size bank protection structures (riprap, gabions, filters) [Assessment]
- Apply practical design considerations to a conceptual river protection case [Usage]
- Estimate the dead storage volume and useful life of a reservoir due to sedimentation [Assessment]
- Evaluate the sediment trap efficiency of a reservoir and propose management measures [Usage]
- Explain the analytical fundamentals of river navigation and its port conditioning [Familiarity]
2.5.13. WRH/Agricultural Water Demand (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Soil-water-plant relationships, estimation of evapotranspiration and agricultural water demand, and supply-and-demand analysis for irrigation project planning.
Topics:
Core
- Soil-water-plant relationships and soil water availability
- Estimation of reference and crop evapotranspiration
- Crop water requirement and crop coefficients
- Water supply-and-demand balance for an irrigation project
- Irrigation scheduling and cropping calendars
- Irrigation efficiency at the field, conveyance, and system level
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Explain the soil-water-plant relationship and its effect on water availability for crops [Familiarity]
- Calculate reference and crop evapotranspiration using standard methods [Usage]
- Estimate a crop's water requirement throughout its growth cycle [Assessment]
- Develop the water supply-and-demand balance for an irrigation project [Usage]
- Design an irrigation schedule accounting for the cropping calendar [Assessment]
- Evaluate the irrigation efficiency of a system and propose improvements [Usage]
2.5.14. WRH/Irrigation Systems Design (Core Tier1: 1 hr, Core Tier2: 1 hr) ↑ Back to top
Design of intake works (headworks, desanders) and gravity and pressurized irrigation systems, including the agronomic and hydraulic design of drip irrigation.
Topics:
Core
- Types of irrigation intake works
- Headworks design
- Desander design
- Other structures of the irrigation conveyance and distribution system
- Design of gravity irrigation systems
- Design of pressurized (technified) irrigation systems
- Agronomic design of drip irrigation
- Hydraulic design of drip irrigation: laterals, distribution lines, and emitters
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Select the appropriate intake work type for the conditions of an irrigation project [Usage]
- Design a headworks structure and its associated desander [Assessment]
- Design a gravity irrigation system for a given field [Usage]
- Compare pressurized irrigation alternatives against gravity irrigation [Assessment]
- Perform the agronomic design of a drip irrigation system [Usage]
- Hydraulically design the lateral and distribution lines of a drip irrigation system [Assessment]
2.5.15. WRH/Coastal and Floodplain Engineering ↑ Back to top
Analysis and design for coastal protection, wave mechanics, floodplain management, and flood risk assessment.
Topics:
Core
- Wave mechanics and coastal processes
- Coastal structures and shoreline protection
- Floodplain delineation and hydraulic modeling
- Flood risk assessment and hazard mapping
- Levee and floodwall design
- Storm surge modeling and coastal flooding
- Beach nourishment and dune stabilization
- Floodplain management and NFIP regulations
- Flood warning systems and emergency planning
- Climate change adaptation for coastal and flood infrastructure
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Explain wave mechanics and coastal sediment transport processes [Familiarity]
- Design coastal protection structures including breakwaters and revetments [Assessment]
- Delineate floodplains using hydraulic modeling techniques [Usage]
- Conduct flood risk assessments and develop hazard maps [Assessment]
- Proportion levees and floodwalls for flood protection [Usage]
- Model storm surge and coastal flood inundation [Assessment]
- Plan beach nourishment projects and dune restoration [Usage]
- Apply floodplain management principles and NFIP requirements [Familiarity]
- Develop flood warning systems and emergency response plans [Assessment]
- Incorporate climate change projections in coastal and flood infrastructure design [Usage]