HR: 1330h
AN: ED32C-1213    [PDF]
TI: An Online Module on Rainfall Runoff Processes
AU: * Tarboton, D G
EM: dtarb@cc.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4110 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 United States
AU: Bandaragoda, C
EM: cmay@cc.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4110 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 United States
AU: Kaheil, Y H
EM: yasir@cc.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4110 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 United States
AU: Zachry, M R
EM: mzachry@english.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4110 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 United States
AU: Reed, W B
EM: Bill.Reed@noaa.gov
AF: Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, 2242 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 United States
AB: This paper will show an online module designed to provide a comprehensive and quantitative understanding of infiltration and runoff generation processes. This module was developed to fulfill National Weather Service training needs and is targeted at professionals with a college degree in science or engineering, and seniors or graduate students in a hydrologic science or engineering program. No prior knowledge on Rainfall Runoff Processes is required. The module first reviews the mechanisms involved in runoff generation and the pathways water takes moving to streams in different settings. The physical factors at the land surface that affect runoff are presented. This leads into a presentation of soil properties fundamental to the partitioning of water inputs at the earth surface and methods and procedures for the calculation of infiltration at a point. The module guides students through the detailed calculations involved. The module then ends with review of the simulation of runoff generation in hydrologic models such as TOPMODEL and the National Weather Service River Forecast System (NWSRFS). The online material takes advantage of streaming video and slide presentations as well as visualizations and computer animations that focus on key concepts. Substantive supporting material is given in the form of a PDF workbook that serves as a text. There is an online quiz at the end of each chapter designed to reinforce knowledge of the material covered in the section. The module compares answers to the solution and provides feedback. There is also an online final exam accessible once each chapter quiz has been attempted. The material in the early parts of the module is qualitative introducing the terminology and conceptual models involved in describing Rainfall Runoff processes. The latter parts of the module require users to perform quantitative calculations using a spreadsheet program such as Excel or an advanced engineering or scientific calculator. The module may be accessed at http://moose.cee.usu.edu/comet
UR: http://moose.cee.usu.edu/comet
DE: 1800 HYDROLOGY
DE: 1860 Runoff and streamflow
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting