Surface water

Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a sustainable source of water for the future. In the UK there are areas where water supplies are limited, as shown by recent droughts. Globally, there are many areas that do not have enough water to support the current population adequately. Decisions will have to be made on the best way to use water in a world that's experiencing climate change. This free course, Surface water, helps you examine the options.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• List the types of springs, and how each type relates to a different geological setting
• Use hydrographs to distinguish overland flow and interflow from baseflow, and make inferences about the climate of an area
• Expain how various changes in land use in a river catchment will change the hydrograph of a river
• Distinguish the different types of reservoir construction, and decide whether a particular area would be suitable for a reservoir, suggest the most suitable type of dam for a site, and summarise the side effects of constructing reservoirs.