HOMS COMPONENT

FIELD HYDROLOGY IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES - A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION

1.   Purpose and objectives

     To provide a basic guide for field hydrologists working in tropical  countries on the practical aspects of managing data collection.

2.   Description

     This book is designed to be a practical guide -not a manual or a  textbook- and is aimed at those who understand basic hydrological  principles but who do not have much field experience.

     The book is divided into two main sections addressing the issues of  planning and management and data collection. In Section I an introduction  of some important general points is followed by an illustrated reminder to  select appropriate hydrology. An overview of field work discusses site  visits by managers and what checks should be made; the importance of  encouraging daily entries in station record books; maintaining office  supplies needed by observers; the importance of cultivating a good  relationship with local observers, for example, by showing a personal  interest in their welfare and making sure that their wages are paid; and  details to remember when installing new equipment. The paramount importance  of the control and maintenance of transport is stressed. Safety issues are  also discussed, including first aid, protection of water and food supplies  on field trips, the dangers of rivers, deep water and boats, politically  sensitive areas, dangers from wild animals, and the provision and  maintenance of emergency radio communication.

     Section II on data collection suggests how accurate records and  continuity of data might be maintained for rainfall, streamflow and  evaporation estimates. Points addressed include a brief overview of  available instrumentation and techniques; factors to consider in method  selection; the siting and regular checking of equipment; what sources of  error to look out for, such as leaks and spiders in raingauges, and other  problems that might be encountered, such as silting in pipes to stilling  wells, and how to deal with them; how to handle and label recorded data  properly; and the correct units to employ. The installation, operation and  maintenance of a meteorological station are dealt with in the section on  evaporation.

     Three Appendices contain details of sources of further information:  references and further reading; information available from the WMO and  International Organization for Standardization; and measurement units,  equations and conversion factors.

3.   Input

     Not applicable.

4.   Output

     Not applicable.

5.   Operational requirements and restrictions

     None.

6.   Form of presentation

     Booklet of 108 pages.

7.   Operational experience

     The author has thirty years experience as a hydrologist, and worked in  Africa, South America and India.

8.   Originator and technical support

     Institute of Hydrology, UK.

9.   Availability

     From the UK HOMS Office, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, formerly the Institute of Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB. Generally for sale, but single copies available free at the discretion of the  UK HOMS Office.

10.  Conditions on use

     Subject to the usual laws of copyright with respect to reproduction  and distribution.

Last updated: MAR 99)
 top