WATER BALANCE

Water balance is a simple calculation which describes how precipitation can be accounted for throughout a drainage basin.

It is written as:

P= O + E =+/- S

P = precipitation

O= total channel /streamflow (runoff)

E= evapotranspiration

S= storage (in soil/bedrock)

The water balance is used by hydrologists to plan and manage the water supply in a drainiage basin for example, Severn Trent Water Authority would do this for the River Severn catchment (drainage basin)

They use this information to plan for water supply in times of drought, pollution control and floods.

Task

Work out variations in rainfall and runoff data across The UK.

Click here to open the instructions in word.

You will also need the accompanying spreadsheet here

Useful websites

The Physical Environment website - useful for all kinds of physical geography