Hydrology

Summary

Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution and quality of water on and below the surface of the Earth. It follows the water cycle of precipitation, infiltration, runoff, groundwater flow and evaporation. Its mathematical side models river flow, flood waves, infiltration into soil, and flow through porous rock, the last based on Darcy's law. It also uses statistics heavily, to estimate the probability of floods and droughts from limited records. Hydrology serves water supply, flood protection, agriculture and the management of rivers and aquifers.