Methods of Estimating Reservoir Evaporation - 18.2 | 18. Introduction | Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering - Vol 2
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

18.2 - Methods of Estimating Reservoir Evaporation

Enroll to start learning

You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.

Practice

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Pan Evaporation Method

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's begin with the Pan Evaporation Method, which is commonly used to estimate evaporation from reservoirs. This method involves using a pan to collect evaporation data. Who can tell me what the formula looks like?

Student 1
Student 1

It's E equals K times E sub p, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Where E is the estimated evaporation, K is the pan coefficient, and E sub p is the measured pan evaporation. Can anyone explain what the pan coefficient typically ranges between?

Student 2
Student 2

Is it between 0.6 and 0.8?

Teacher
Teacher

Great job! The choice of pan location is also critical. It should represent the conditions of the reservoir. What happens if we place it incorrectly?

Student 3
Student 3

It could give inaccurate measurements, which would lead to poor estimates of evaporation.

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! Always ensure your pan is in a representative area. In summary, use the correct formula and consult K values for accuracy.

Water Budget Method

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s discuss the Water Budget Method for estimating evaporation, which is based on mass balance. Can someone share the formula?

Student 4
Student 4

It's E equals I plus P minus O minus change in S, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Each component must be accurately measured: inflow, precipitation, outflow, and change in storage. Why do you think accuracy is particularly vital here?

Student 1
Student 1

Because if one part is wrong, the entire estimation for evaporation could also be incorrect.

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! That's why we need precise data collection over long durations. Can anyone think of a scenario where this method might be particularly useful?

Student 2
Student 2

It would be helpful during a dry season where water inflow might change significantly.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! To wrap up, accurate measurements are key to effective water resource management through the Water Budget Method.

Energy Budget Method

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's dive into the Energy Budget Method. Can anyone summarize what this method is based on?

Student 3
Student 3

It focuses on the heat fluxes across the reservoir's surface, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It uses net radiation and other energy components to calculate evaporation. What do you think makes this method data-intensive?

Student 4
Student 4

Because it needs a lot of different measurements like net radiation, heat loss, and stored heat.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Despite being complex, it offers high accuracy when the required data is available. Why do you think that matters?

Student 1
Student 1

More accurate data leads to better management decisions regarding water resources.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! So, while it's complex, the payoff in accuracy can be significant.

Combination Method (Penman Method)

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

The Combination Method integrates energy and aerodynamic factors for estimating evaporation. Does anyone remember what data is needed for this method?

Student 2
Student 2

We need data on net radiation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Can anyone discuss when this method is most suitable?

Student 3
Student 3

It’s best when you have nearby meteorological stations for accurate data collection.

Teacher
Teacher

Great point! So, while robust, it requires solid data access. Let's recap what we discussed: the Combination Method is beneficial for precise estimates but relies heavily on data availability.

Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Estimation

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, we have the Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Estimation method. Can anyone tell me how this method differs from the others?

Student 4
Student 4

It uses satellite-derived variables instead of direct measurement on-site.

Teacher
Teacher

That’s right! This method enables spatially distributed evaporation mapping, which is great for large-scale studies. What do you think the main advantage of using remote sensing is?

Student 1
Student 1

It allows us to study larger areas that might be hard to measure accurately with traditional methods.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! As we summarized today, each estimation method has strengths and weaknesses, and knowing when to use them can enhance water resource management.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section outlines various methods to estimate evaporation from reservoirs, crucial for managing water resources effectively.

Standard

The section details several methods for estimating reservoir evaporation, including the Pan Evaporation Method, Water Budget Method, Energy Budget Method, Combination Method, and Remote Sensing techniques. Each method has unique applications, advantages, and necessary data requirements for accurate estimation.

Detailed

Methods of Estimating Reservoir Evaporation

Reservoirs are essential for effective water resource management, especially where evaporation losses significantly impact water availability. Estimating evaporation accurately is vital. This section discusses several methods used for estimating reservoir evaporation:

  1. Pan Evaporation Method: This is the most widely used method in field conditions. It uses a pan to measure evaporation, and the formula integrates a pan coefficient (typically between 0.6 to 0.8) related to measured pan evaporation. The choice of pan location is crucial to ensure that it is representative of conditions over the reservoir.
  2. Water Budget Method: This method is based on the mass balance equation, relying on accurate measurements of inflows, outflows, and changes in storage. It is effective for long-term assessments but requires good data accuracy for all contributing factors.
  3. Energy Budget Method: This method calculates evaporation based on heat fluxes across the reservoir surface. It involves net radiation, energy for evaporation, and sensible heat loss components, making it data-intensive but highly accurate.
  4. Combination Method (Penman Method): This method integrates both energy and aerodynamic factors, needing data on net radiation, humidity, temperature, and wind speed. It's suitable for reservoirs with meteorological stations nearby for accurate readings.
  5. Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Estimation: This innovative approach uses satellite data and geographical information systems to estimate evaporation over large areas, leveraging models to assess spatially distributed evaporation accurately. This technique is particularly useful for extensive reservoir systems.

By employing these various methods, water managers can develop informed strategies to mitigate water loss due to evaporation, thereby enhancing the efficiency of reservoir usage.

Youtube Videos

23. Analytical formula for Evaporation measurement || Water Resources engineering
23. Analytical formula for Evaporation measurement || Water Resources engineering
Reservoir Planning: Estimating Reservoir Capacity of a Dam Reservoir by ‘Mass Curve’ Method
Reservoir Planning: Estimating Reservoir Capacity of a Dam Reservoir by ‘Mass Curve’ Method
ENGINEERING HYDROLOGY -INTRODUCTION-2-Determine evaporation  of the  Reservoir or Lake
ENGINEERING HYDROLOGY -INTRODUCTION-2-Determine evaporation of the Reservoir or Lake
Evaporation Control & Dam Instrumentation Overview | Water Resources Engineering | Explained Notes
Evaporation Control & Dam Instrumentation Overview | Water Resources Engineering | Explained Notes
Water resource Engineering Unit-2 session 3
Water resource Engineering Unit-2 session 3
CE461- Water Resources Engineering: Using Combined Method to Calculate Evaporation
CE461- Water Resources Engineering: Using Combined Method to Calculate Evaporation
Lec 23: Evaporation
Lec 23: Evaporation
Hydrology: Lecture 5 Part 2: Pan Evaporation
Hydrology: Lecture 5 Part 2: Pan Evaporation
Hydrology and Water Resources: Getting to Evaporation measurement by Pans by Mr. M Khamgaonkar
Hydrology and Water Resources: Getting to Evaporation measurement by Pans by Mr. M Khamgaonkar
Evaporation Loss and It's Measurement - Water Resource Engineering 1
Evaporation Loss and It's Measurement - Water Resource Engineering 1

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Pan Evaporation Method

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  • Most widely used in field conditions.
  • Formula:
    E = K × E_p
  • Where: E = Estimated evaporation from reservoir
    K = Pan coefficient (typically 0.6–0.8)
    E_p = Measured pan evaporation
  • Requires careful site selection for the pan to ensure representativeness.

Detailed Explanation

The Pan Evaporation Method is commonly used to estimate the amount of water evaporating from a reservoir. The formula for this method includes a pan coefficient (K), which adjusts the measured evaporation from a pan to reflect conditions in the reservoir. The value of K typically ranges from 0.6 to 0.8, meaning that 60% to 80% of the recorded pan evaporation is assumed to occur in the reservoir. Additionally, it's crucial to select the site for the evaporation pan carefully to ensure that it reflects the local climatic conditions accurately. This method is straightforward and effective in many field situations.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the Pan Evaporation Method as a weather app that adjusts the forecasts based on your specific location. Just like the app provides accurate weather information tailored to your region, this method ensures that the evaporation estimates are adapted to the local conditions of the reservoir.

Water Budget Method

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  • Based on mass balance:
    E = I + P − O − ∆S
  • Where: E = Evaporation loss
    I = Inflow
    P = Precipitation
    O = Outflow
    ∆S = Change in storage
  • Works well over long durations.
  • Requires accurate measurement of all components.

Detailed Explanation

The Water Budget Method uses a mass balance approach to estimate evaporation. It accounts for various inputs and outputs in a reservoir system, including inflow (I), precipitation (P), outflow (O), and changes in storage (∆S). The formula provided indicates that evaporation loss (E) is determined by the total inflow and precipitation, minus the outflow and any changes in the water storage level. This method is particularly useful for long-term calculations as it enables continuous monitoring of water levels and evaporation rates. However, it relies heavily on the accuracy of measurements for all involved components.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine managing a savings account. You need to track everything: how much money you deposit (inflow), any interest earned (precipitation), withdrawals (outflow), and any changes in account balance (change in storage). Just like balancing a budget, the Water Budget Method adds up all the inflows and outflows to figure out what’s left—this time, it’s about measuring evaporation.

Energy Budget Method

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  • Based on heat fluxes across the reservoir:
    Q = Q_n + Q_e + Q_h + Q_s
  • Where: Q = Net radiation
    Q_n = Energy used in evaporation
    Q_e = Sensible heat loss
    Q_h = Heat stored in water
  • Evaporation is obtained using:
    E = Q_e / (L × ρ)
  • Where: L = Latent heat of vaporization
    ρ = Water density
  • Accurate but data-intensive.

Detailed Explanation

The Energy Budget Method calculates evaporation based on the heat exchanges occurring at the water surface. It sums up all forms of energy involved—net radiation (Q), energy used in evaporation (Q_n), sensible heat loss (Q_h), and heat stored in the water (Q_s). The final calculation of evaporation (E) is derived using the energy used in evaporation divided by the product of the latent heat of vaporization (L) and the density of water (ρ). This method is very precise but requires a significant amount of data on different energy components, making it resource-intensive.

Examples & Analogies

Think about how a solar panel works. It captures sunlight and transforms it into energy. Similarly, the Energy Budget Method takes different forms of heat energy and converts these into an estimate of how much water is evaporating. Both rely on measuring energy effectively to calculate efficiency.

Combination Method (Penman Method)

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  • Integrates both energy and aerodynamic factors.
  • Requires data on net radiation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed.
  • Suitable for reservoirs with meteorological station access.

Detailed Explanation

The Combination Method, often referred to as the Penman Method, combines aspects of both the energy and aerodynamic processes in estimating evaporation. It requires data on various parameters, including net radiation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed, to accurately assess evaporation rates. This method is especially useful for reservoirs where there is reliable access to meteorological station data, allowing for comprehensive analysis and more precise estimates. The integration of multiple factors makes it advantageous in varied conditions compared to simpler methods.

Examples & Analogies

This method can be likened to a chef who uses various ingredients to create a delicious dish. Each ingredient (like temperature, humidity, and wind) plays an essential role and, when combined properly, can produce an accurate and delightful result—much as this method provides a reliable estimate of evaporation.

Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Estimation

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  • Uses satellite-derived variables (e.g., land surface temperature, NDVI, albedo)
  • Combined with models like SEBAL, METRIC, or Penman-Monteith
  • Enables spatially distributed evaporation mapping
  • Highly useful for large reservoirs or basin-scale studies.

Detailed Explanation

The Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Estimation method utilizes satellite data to assess variables that influence evaporation rates, such as land surface temperature and vegetative indices like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). It combines this satellite-derived information with computational models like SEBAL (Surface Energy Balance Algorithms for Land), METRIC (Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution with Internalized Calibration), or the Penman-Monteith equation. This approach allows for detailed mapping of evaporation across large areas and is particularly advantageous for studying extensive reservoirs or watershed regions.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this method as a bird’s eye view of a bustling city. Just as a bird can see the layout of streets and buildings from above, satellite sensors capture detailed images of Earth, enabling scientists to understand how much water is evaporating over vast landscapes by analyzing various features and conditions from afar.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Pan Evaporation Method: A method for estimating evaporation rates using a measuring pan.

  • Water Budget Method: A mass balance approach to estimating evaporation losses from reservoirs.

  • Energy Budget Method: An estimation method based on analyzing the heat fluxes involved in evaporation.

  • Combination Method: An advanced integration of methods incorporating different environmental factors.

  • Remote Sensing: The technique of using satellite technology for large-scale evaporation estimation.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • The Pan Evaporation Method typically yields an estimate of evaporation that can inform irrigation practices in agriculture.

  • The Water Budget Method enables accurate long-term planning for reservoirs, particularly in changing climates.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • To estimate the flow, use a pan you know!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a big reservoir needing water data; a wise engineer sets up pans, water inflows, and rain doodles, and they find the hidden evaporation.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember 'P-W-E-R' for Pan, Water Budget, Energy, and Remote Sensing!

🎯 Super Acronyms

P-E-R-W

  • Pan evaporation
  • Energy budget
  • Remote sensing
  • Water budget.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Pan Evaporation Method

    Definition:

    A method that estimates evaporation using a pan to measure water loss adjusted by a pan coefficient.

  • Term: Water Budget Method

    Definition:

    An estimation method based on the mass balance of inflow, precipitation, outflow, and changes in storage.

  • Term: Energy Budget Method

    Definition:

    A method that calculates evaporation based on heat fluxes, including net radiation and heat losses.

  • Term: Combination Method (Penman Method)

    Definition:

    An integrated method that considers both energy and aerodynamic factors for evaporation estimation.

  • Term: Remote Sensing

    Definition:

    The use of satellite data to estimate evaporation across large areas, enabling spatial mapping.