Topic outline

  • Guide to Stream Hydrology

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course covers several topics related to and useful for stream hydrology calculations, including: overview of design discharge, probability, gage analysis for flow frequency, regional analysis, flow duration, hydrological models, channel-forming discharges, and other sources of design flows.

    Topics:

       
    At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
    • Be familiar with low flows, channel-forming discharge and high discharge for use as design discharge for streams
    • Be familiar with the use of flow duration in design discharge calculations
    • Be familiar with the use of seasonal flows in design discharge calculations
    • Be familiar with the use of estimates of future flows in design discharge calculations
    • Be able to calculate the annual probability of occurrence (P) of an event of known return period (Rp)
    • Be able to calculate the risk (probability of exceedance of an event of annual probability, P, over a period of n years)
    • Be familiar with the statistical parameters, mean, standard deviation, and skew coefficient
    • Be familiar with the normal distribution, log-normal distribution, Gumbel extreme value distribution, and log-Pearson type II distribution for use in discharge-frequency analyses
    • Be able to determine the K-value for the Gumbel extreme value distribution for known return period and sample size
    • Be able to determine the K-value for the log-Pearson type III distribution for known recurrence interval and skew coefficient
    • Be familiar with cautions and limitations in connection with channel-forming discharge analyses

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion>

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Stream, Civil, Hydraulic, Water Resources, Environmental, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require a general knowledge of Stream Hydrology.
    Publication Source: NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 654 Stream Restoration Design, Chapter 5, Stream Hydrology

    Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE

    • Topic 1