ENCE 306 · Microsyllabus · Year III / Part I
Engineering Hydrology
Engineering Hydrology Microsyllabus – ENCE 306
The Engineering Hydrology microsyllabus (ENCE 306) is a core subject for third-year civil engineering students at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University. This page presents the complete, unit-wise Engineering Hydrology ENCE 306 microsyllabus including teaching schedules, depth codes, topic descriptions, references, and model questions.
Engineering Hydrology is the science of understanding water movement through the hydrological cycle — from precipitation and evapotranspiration to surface runoff, streamflow measurement, hydrograph analysis, and flood routing. This course equips civil engineering students with the analytical tools needed for the planning and design of water resources projects such as dams, bridges, irrigation systems, and flood protection works.
The Engineering Hydrology ENCE 306 microsyllabus covers eight major units: Introduction, Precipitation (rainfall and snowstorm hydrology), Abstractions from Precipitation, Surface Runoff, Streamflow Measurement, Hydrograph Analysis, Flood Hydrology, and Flood Routing. Special emphasis is placed on Nepal’s hydro-meteorological context, including methods like WECS, MIP, MHSP, and DHM regional methods, along with key software tools such as HEC-HMS and SWAT. Examination is weighted 60–70% numerical and 30–40% theory, making this one of the most calculation-intensive subjects in the IOE civil engineering program.
Teaching Schedule
Lecture · Tutorial · Practical Hours
| L (Lecture) | T (Tutorial) | P (Practical) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Examination Scheme
Theory & Practical Assessment
| Theory Assessment Marks | Theory Final Duration (Hrs) | Theory Final Marks | Practical Assessment Marks | Practical Final Marks | Practical Final Duration (Hrs) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 3 | 60 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 125 |
Depth Codes
Legend – Teaching Depth Indicators
E Explanation
VP Visual Presentation
D Definition
DM Demonstration
DV Derivation
DW Drawing
P Proof
I Illustration
NUM Numerical
SK Sketch
S State
PR Practical
MP Mini Project
EXP Experiment
REV Review / Recap
PS Problem Solving
QA Question Answer
Q Quiz
ST Surprise Test
MT Mid Term Test
Engineering Hydrology – Unit-wise Microsyllabus
1
Introduction to Engineering Hydrology
3L · Week 1| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Scope and Application of Engineering Hydrology | Definition of hydrology; scope and application of hydrology in civil engineering works. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 1.2 Hydrologic Cycle and Water Balance Equations | Explanation of the hydrological cycle with parameters; water budget/balance equations with numericals. | SK, E, NUM | 1 |
| 1.3 Development of Hydro-Meteorological Study and Data in Nepal | Introduction to DHM (Department of Hydrology and Meteorology); sources and availability of hydro-meteorological data in Nepal. | E, S | 0.5 |
| 1.4 Delineation of Hydrological Boundary and Its Characterization | Process of delineation of area and channel; estimation of catchment area, channel length, slope, and time of concentration for a river. | VP, ACT, MP, PR | 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, SK, ST | |||
2
Precipitation
8L · 6T · 2P · Week 2| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Causes, Forms, and Types of Precipitation | Definition, causes, forms, and types of precipitation. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.2.1 Rainfall Measurement | Types of rain gauges (Symons, Tipping, Weighing, Syphon). Network and adequacy of rain-gauges with numericals. | D, E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 2.2.2 Preparation of Rainfall Data | Estimation of missing rainfall data; test for consistency of record by double mass curve. | NUM, SK | 1.5 |
| 2.2.3 Presentation of Rainfall Data | Mass curve; hyetograph; point rainfall; moving average annual rainfall graph. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 2.2.4 Cumulative Distribution and Probability Density Functions of Rainfall | Cumulative distribution and probability density functions of rainfall. | D, E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 2.2.5 Mean Rainfall over an Area | Arithmetic mean, Thiessen polygon, and Isohyets methods for averaging rainfall over an area. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1.5 |
| 2.2.6 Depth-Duration, Depth-Area-Duration, and IDF Curves | Depth duration, depth area duration, and intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves and their application. | D, E, I, SK, NUM | 1.5 |
| 2.2.7 Frequency of Rainfall; Goodness of Fit Test (Chi-square) | Frequency of rainfall; goodness of fit test using Chi-square method. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 2.2.8 Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) | Definition and importance of PMP; estimation process of PMP (concept only). | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.3.1 Snow Climatology, Distribution, and Snowpack Condition | Definition of snow; snow climatology; snow distribution and snowpack condition over an area. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.3.2 Snowfall Measurement | Measurement through snow gauge, snow stakes, and snow boards; snow surveys. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 2.3.3 Water Equivalent of Snow | Snow density; use of snow gauges and tubes. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 2.3.4 Remote Sensing of Snowpack | Ultrasonic snow depth sensor; use of satellite data for snowpack monitoring. | VP, E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.3.5 Snow-Melting Runoff Process | Snowmelt-runoff modeling; SWAT; HEC-HMS applications. | VP, E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.3.6 Changing Snowpack and Glaciers in a Warming World | Change in snowpack and glaciers due to climate change and its hydrological impact. | E, I | 0.5 |
| 2.3.7 Snow Avalanches | Snow avalanches and their effects downstream on infrastructure and communities. | VP, D, E, I | 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, MT | |||
3
Abstractions from Precipitation (Hydrological Losses)
6L · 4T · 1P · Week 5| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Initial Losses | Initial losses due to interception and depression storage. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 3.2.1 Meteorological Parameters for Evaporation | Evaporation and its controlling parameters: radiation, temperature, vapor pressure, humidity, and wind speed. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 3.2.2 Measurement of Evaporation | Measurement of evaporation by different types of evaporimeters; pan coefficients. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 3.2.3 Empirical Evaporation Equations | Empirical evaporation equations: Meyer’s and Rohwer’s methods with numericals. | E, I, NUM | 1 |
| 3.2.4 Evaporation Estimation | Evaporation estimation by water-budget, energy-budget, and mass transfer methods. | E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 3.3.1 Actual Evapotranspiration and Lysimeters | Actual evapotranspiration; measurement using lysimeters. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 3.3.2 Potential Evapotranspiration | Estimation of potential evapotranspiration by Penman’s equation (energy and mass transfer approaches) with numericals. | D, E, I, NUM | 1.5 |
| 3.4.1 Measurement of Infiltration by Infiltrometers | Infiltration and percolation; infiltration rate and capacity; measurement by infiltrometers. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 3.4.2 Infiltration Models | Introduction to infiltration models: Horton, Kostiakov, Phillip, and Green-Ampt. Numerical solution on Horton’s model only. | E, I, NUM | 1 |
| 3.4.3 Infiltration Indices (φ and W) | Estimation of infiltration indices φ (phi) and W indices. | D, E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, ST | |||
4
Surface Runoff
3L · 1T · Week 7| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Factors Affecting Runoff from a Catchment | Runoff process; direct runoff and base flow; factors including rainfall, infiltration, catchment, channel, evapotranspiration, and initial losses. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 4.2 Runoff Characteristics of Rivers and Streams | Perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral characteristics of rivers and streams. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 4.3 Rainfall-Runoff Relations | Linear and exponential equations for rainfall-runoff relations; use of Khosla’s equation based on monthly temperature and rainfall. | E, I | 0.5 |
| 4.4 Monthly Flows by Regional Formulae (MIP 1990, WECS 1990, MHSP 1997) | Data needed for MIP, WECS, and MHSP methods; estimation of monthly flows by the above methods. | E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 4.5 Annual Runoff Hydrograph | Annual runoff hydrograph constructed from estimated monthly flows. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 4.6 Basics of Rainfall-Runoff Modeling | Empirical models, conceptual models, continuous models; SWAT, HEC-HMS. Transposition of flows from gauged basin to ungauged basin. | E, I | 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, MT | |||
5
Streamflow Measurement
5L · 4T · 9P · Week 8| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 Stream Gauging | Site selection criteria for stage and flow measurements. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 5.2 Stage Measurement | Manual methods (staff gauge, wire gauge); automatic methods (float gauge recorder, bubble gauge, radar). | VP, D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 5.3 Velocity Measurement Techniques | Velocity measurement by current meter, floats, and salt dilution methods. | E, I, SK, PR, EXP, NUM | 1 |
| 5.4 Streamflow Measurement by Velocity Area Method | Streamflow measurement by velocity area method in lab or in field with full report. | E, I, SK, PR, EXP, NUM | 1 |
| 5.5 Streamflow Estimation by Slope Area Method | Streamflow estimation using the slope area method. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 5.6 Streamflow Measurement through Structures | Streamflow measurement through hydraulic structures; formulae for notches, weirs, and flumes. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 5.7 Rating Curves | Development of rating curves (permanent and shifting control); extrapolation and application in streamflow estimation. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q | |||
6
Hydrograph Analysis
8L · 6T · Week 10| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 Components of a Storm Hydrograph | Definition and components of a storm hydrograph with labeled sketch. | D, E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 6.2 Factors Affecting Shape of Storm Hydrographs | Factors affecting the shape of storm hydrographs (catchment, rainfall, and climate factors). | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 6.3 Separation of Base Flow | Separation of base flow by three standard methods. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 6.4 Effective Rainfall Hyetograph and Direct Runoff Hydrograph | Derivation of effective rainfall hyetograph and direct runoff hydrograph. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 6.5 Unit Hydrographs: Uses and Limitations | Definition of unit hydrograph; its uses and limitations in flood estimation. | E, I, SK | 0.5 |
| 6.6 Derivation of Unit Hydrographs from Isolated and Complex Storms | Derivation of unit hydrographs from isolated storms and complex multi-peak storms with numericals. | E, I, SK, NUM | 2 |
| 6.7 Derivation of Unit Hydrographs of Different Durations | Method of superposition and the S-curve method for changing UH duration; with numericals. | E, I, SK, NUM | 2.5 |
| 6.8 Synthetic Unit Hydrograph – Snyder’s Method | Synthetic unit hydrograph derivation using Snyder’s method for ungauged basins. | E, I, SK | 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q | |||
7
Flood Hydrology
6L · 8T · Week 12| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 Design Flood and Its Frequency | Definition of design flood and its frequency of occurrence. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 7.2 Flood Frequency with Risk and Lifespan of Structure | Estimation of flood frequency; relationship with risk and design lifespan of structures. | D, E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.3.1 Plotting Positions and Probability Distributions | Design floods in gauged basins by flood frequency analysis; plotting positions and probability distributions for flood prediction. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1 |
| 7.3.2 Flood Statistics and Frequency Factors | Flood statistics and frequency factors used in frequency analysis. | E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.3.3 Gumbel Extreme Value Type I Distribution | Gumbel extreme value Type I distribution; frequency factor; confidence limits. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.3.4 Log Pearson Type III Distribution | Log Pearson Type III distribution for flood frequency analysis. | E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.3.5 Log Normal Distribution | Log Normal distribution for flood frequency analysis. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.3.6 Goodness of Fit Tests | Goodness of fit tests for evaluating probability distribution models. | E, I, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.4.1 Rational Method | Rational method using Mononobe’s equation for rainfall intensity; peak discharge estimation for small basins. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.4.2 Rainfall-Runoff Methods for Ungauged Basins | Rainfall-runoff methods for ungauged basins: Snyder, BD Richard, and PCJ models. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.4.3 Regional Empirical Methods | Regional empirical methods: Dickens, WECS, MHSP, and DHM methods applicable in Nepal. | E, I, SK, NUM | 0.5 |
| 7.5.1 Flash Floods – Intense Rainfall | Intense rainfall events: cloud outburst, stationary monsoon troughs, and monsoon depressions causing flash floods. | E, I, VP | 0.5 |
| 7.5.2 Flash Floods – Geo-environmental Causes | Geo-environmental flash floods: glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslide-dammed outburst floods. | E, I, VP | 0.5 |
| 7.5.3 Impact of Climate Change on Flash Floods | Impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of flash floods in Nepal. | E, I, VP | 0.5 |
| 7.6 Basics of Flood Modeling | Basics of flood modeling; software tools used in flood analysis and prediction. | E, I, SK, PR | 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q | |||
8
Flood Routing
4L · 2T · Week 15| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 Concept of Reservoir and Channel Routing | Concept of reservoir and channel routing; basic governing equations. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 8.2 Hydrologic Channel Routing | Hydrologic channel routing using prism storage and wedge storage concepts. | D, E, I | 0.5 |
| 8.3 Muskingum Equation and Estimation of Parameters | Muskingum equation; estimation of parameters K and x from observed hydrograph data. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1 |
| 8.4 Muskingum Method of Channel Routing | Application of the Muskingum method of channel routing using a linear reservoir approach. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1 |
| 8.5 Clark’s Method for IUH | Clark’s method for instantaneous unit hydrograph (IUH) using a time-area histogram approach. | E, I, SK, NUM | 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q | |||
References
Recommended Books – Engineering Hydrology ENCE 306
- 1 Subramanya, K. (2018). Engineering Hydrology (4th ed.). Tata McGraw-Hill Education. (All chapters except 1.3; 2.3; 4.4; 7.4 and 7.5)
- 2 Garg, S. K. (2005). Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering. Khanna Publishers. (Ch. 2.3; 5.3; 5.4; 5.5 and 5.6)
- 3 Jha, P. C., Devkota, N. (2024). Irrigation and Drainage Engineering (3rd ed.). Heritage Publishers. (Ch. 1.3; 4.4; 7.4 and 7.5)
Model Question Paper – ENCE 306
Subject: Engineering Hydrology | Code: ENCE 306 | Full Marks: 60 | Pass Marks: 24 | Time: 3 Hrs | (60–70% Numerical, 30–40% Theory)
| Q.N. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | List the major works in which hydrological studies are required. | 2 | 1 |
| 2 a) | Describe the different methods of recording of rainfall with sketch. | 3 | 2 |
| 2 b) | The hyetograph of a 6-hour storm is constructed with varying time intervals: at 20 minutes interval for the first one hour, at 40 minutes’ interval for the next 2 hours and at one-hour interval for the last 3 hours. The successive ordinates of the hyetograph in mm/hr are 66, 75, 54, 48, 69, 51, 38, 47, and 25. Determine the total rainfall depth produced by the storm. | 5 | 2 |
| 3 a) | Distinguish between actual and potential evapotranspiration. | 3 | 3 |
| 3 b) | For a small catchment, the infiltration rate at the beginning of rain was observed to be 90 mm/hr and decreased exponentially to a constant rate of 8 mm/hr after 2.5 hr. The total infiltration during 2.5 hr was 50 mm. Develop Horton’s equation for the infiltration rate at any time t < 2.5 hr. | 5 | 3 |
| 4 a) | Briefly describe factors affecting runoff from a river basin. | 3 | 4 |
| 4 b) | What type of data are required for estimation of monthly flows by WECS and MIP methods? | 3 | 4 |
| 5 a) | Explain commonly used methods of measurement of river stage with sketch. | 3 | 5 |
| 5 b) | Determine the stage corresponding to zero discharge from the following rating curve data: Stage (m): 20.80, 21.42, 21.95, 22.37, 23.00, 23.52, 24.00 Discharge (m³/s): 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 800, 1000 |
6 | 5 |
| 6 a) | Sketch a rainstorm hydrograph with brief description of all components. | 4 | 6 |
| 6 b) | The ordinates of the 2-h UH of a basin at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 hours are 0, 25, 100, 160, 190, 170, 110, 70, 30, 20, 6 and 0 m³/s respectively. Determine the ordinates of the 4-h UH of the basin using S-curve method. Also produce the 4-h flood hydrograph with a base flow of 4 m³/s. | 8 | 6 |
| 7 a) | Explain the Rational method of computing the peak discharge of a small basin. | 3 | 7 |
| 7 b) | A bridge has an expected life of 25 years and is designed for a flood of 100 years return period. What is the risk of this hydrologic design? If a 10% risk is acceptable, what return period will have to be adopted? | 4 | 7 |
| 8 a) | Distinguish between hydraulic and hydrologic methods of flood routing. | 2 | 8 |
| 8 b) | A basin having 128 km² of drainage area has 22 hours of concentration time and 14 hours of storage constant. Determine the IUH for this basin if inter-isochrone area distribution is as below: Travel time (hr): 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, 15–18, 18–21, 21–24, 24–27 Area (km²): 14, 17, 6, 25, 31, 23, 2, 7, 3 |
6 | 8 |
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