Surface water

---Please note: This is course is due to be archived onMonday 13th March 2023. You can study the course up until this date. For learnerswho have completed the course, the Statement of Participation will remain inyour learner records in your OpenLearn profile.---Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. 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.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Springs
• 1 Springs
• 2 River flow
• 2 River flow
• 3 Reservoirs
• 3 Reservoirs
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Sites for reservoirs
• 3.3 Dams
• 3.4 Environmental effects of reservoir construction
• 3.4.1 Land use
• 3.4.2 Ecological changes
• 3.4.3 Dam failure
• 3.4.4 Sediment filling
• 3.4.5 Sediment loss to agriculture
• 3.4.6 Soil salinization
• 3.4.7 Induced earthquakes
• 3.5 Big dams in the future?
• Conclusion
• References
• Acknowledgements