NzATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY, the premier Institute in the area of hydrology and water resources in INDIA. 

The Institute was established in 1978 as a research organization at Roorkee, India. Since inception, the Institute has carried out research studies covering almost all areas of hydrology, and has established contacts with national and international organisations of repute. The Institute is now well equipped to carry out computer, laboratory & field oriented studies with a team of 80 well qualified & trained scientists with excellent academic background and well equipped laboratories and facilities.

Institute has  has actively participated in technology transfer activities. With these activities, over the years the Institute has positioned itself as the premier organization and centre of excellence for research & development in the area of hydrology in the country.

Institute has its Headquarters at Roorkee (Uttaranchal), four regional centres at: Two additional centres at:

The Institute has  has actively participated in technology transfer activities. With these activities, over the years the Institute has positioned itself as the premier organization and centre of excellence for research & development in the area of hydrology in the country.

RESEARCH

Dam Break Flood Studies

The dam break studies at the Institute are aimed at studying various dam break situations and predetermining the peak flood stages and warning time for their possible use in planning safety measures.
The following important studies have been conducted :
  • Dam break analysis of Machhu dam-II failure
  • Dam break study of Pulinchintala dam
  • Application of dam break programme using data of Gandhi Sagar
  • Dam break study of Mitti dam

Hydrological studies of hypothetical dam failure scenarios for some of the major dams of the country have also been completed.

Reservoir Operation

The Institute has developed techniques for reservoir operation. A number of studies are carried out using latest techniques. Real time operation is especially suitable for flood moderation. These studies aim at :

  • Conservation torage regulation of reservoir
  • Regulation of spillway gates
  • Reservoir operation policy
  • Flood control regulation l development of flood forecasting system

Snow and Glacier Studies

The snow and glacial hydrology is an important study area of the Institute. The major river basins of Himalayas have significant contribution from snow and ice melt. The studies pertaining to snow and ice melt processes and their modelling are being conducted. Some important studies conducted are :

  • Snow and glacier contribution in the Chenab river
  • Snow and glacier contribution in the Ganga
  • Melt rate studies on Himalayan glaciers
  • Melt water storage of a typical glacier

Software Development

During the last three years, the Institute has actively pursued the development of user friendly and interactive hydrological software. The important software developed so far are :

  • Unit hydrograph techniques for flood estimation
  • Flood estimation for large catchments
  • Reservoir analysis
  • Estimation of seepage from canal
  • Frequency analysis
  • Expert system for computing vadose zone parameters
Instrument Development

Reliable and short interval hydrological data are required for many hydrological studies. This calls for development and automation of laboratory and field equipment and their standardization. The Institute has developed a weighing type raingauge and weighing type snow gauge, which can be operated unattended for long duration in remote and inhospitable terrain. The important instruments developed are :
  • Microprocessor based rainfall sensor using tipping bucket
  • Microprocessor based weighing type rainfall sensor
  • Suspended sediment sensor
  • Data logger for hydrological measurement
  • Automatic snow gauge
  • Data logger for soil moisture measurement
  • Depth water sampler
  • Optical recorder type water level sensor
  • Microprocesser based automatic infiltrometer
Hydrologic Design

The studies carried out at the Institute mainly focussed on design flood estimation using flood frequency analysis and unit hydrograph based approaches, synthetic data generation, water availability studies, network design and development/application of watershed models for different river basins/regions of the country. Besides conventional techniques used for design flood estimation like unit hydrograph approaches and flood frequency analysis, the distributed event based models for different terrain situations have also been studied and developed to estimate design flood.

The Institute has also taken up hydrological studies for the evaluation of dependable flows for the identification of potential sites for small hydro power schemes in the Himalayan region. Regional flood frequency analysis has been carried out at the Institute for Himalayan region and Mahi, Sabarmati and Godavari basins. Relationship between frequency of rainfall and frequency of flood has been studied for a basin of Narmada. Forecasting of monsoon runoff for Vaigai basin in southern Tamilnadu has been carried out by the Institute.

Water Quality

The Institute at its Headquarters, Roorkee and its Regional Centres has been monitoring the surface water quality and ground water contamination at different locations. Models have been applied to assess the problem of water quality for different pollution loads under different scenarios in different seasons.
Remote Sensing and GIS

Applications

Basic requirement to begin any hydrologic study/analysis is the availability of information and exhaustive data base. Remote sensing technique if used alongwith other available information, may prove useful in supplementing the desired information. The Institute is fully equipped with visual and digital image processing & Geographical Information System (GIS) facilities to carry out various hydrological applications of remotely sensed data. Using the remote sensing technique, the Institute has prepared hydrological land use maps and rainfall-runoff models for Narmada, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha river basins. Remote sensing studies have also been carried out for waterlogging and salinity of IGNP-I and Tawa command area; sedimentation in Tungabhadra reservoir and geomorphology of Sabarmati river basin. In addition to above, the Institute has prepared surface water inventory of Narmada basin and it is proposed to cover some of the major river basins of the country. Institute has also taken up assessment of waterlogging in various affected command areas of the country.
Some of the studies for which these techniques have been applied include :

  • Snow cover mapping
  • Land use and soil classification
  • Erosion studies< li>Flood plain mapping
  • Sedimentation of reservoirs and reservoir capacity computations
  • Assessment of waterlogged areas
  • Mapping of ground water availability zones
Lake Studies

Various studies pertaining to water balance of lakes, classification of lakes, thermal regime of lakes, sedimentation in lakes and evaporation from lakes are taken up. A comprehensive hydrological study of Lake Nanital has been completed wherein both conventional and isotopic techniques have been used. Besides, some aspects of hydrologic studies on Mansar and Surinsar Lakes (J&K) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) have been undertaken. Comprehensive inventories of lakes in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been prepared.

Drought Studies

The occurrence of drought in India is not a recent phenomenon. In view of severity of drought problems and lack of understanding of the hydrological aspects associated with the droughts, the Institute has launched studies to better understand the drought impacts from hydrological point of view. Six states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan were selected for the study and analysis of hydrological drought. A study for Kalahandi district in Orissa has also been completed.
Groundwater Assessment

Correct estimation of groundwater potential of a region/basin is one of the essential pre-requisite in formulating the efficient management of the available water of the region/basin. Streamflow-aquifer interaction, management of coastal aquifers and groundwater resource evaluation in hard rock regions are some of the important areas in which the Institute has carried out studies.

Studies in connection with modernisation of Upper-Ganga canal system have also been carried out by the Institute.

Dug wells are used extensively in hard rock areas for groundwater. Development of groundwater in these areas requires the knowledge of the dynamics of flow abstractions towards a dug well. The flow towards a well in hard rock areas is governed by the fractures in the rock, the primary and the secondary porosities. The Institute has carried out some investigations to study the flow behaviour in hard rock regions.

A project sponsored by Command Area Development, Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna, Rajasthan to suggest appropriate design of subsurface drainage system in a part of IGNP canal command area has been completed successfully with the objective to design subsurface drainage to reclaim the waterlogged land in Indira Gandhi Nahar.

Design of radial collector well to be installed in the bed of river Yamuna has also been made which will greatly assist in providing good quality water to Agra city.
Assessment of Irrigation Return Flow

Irrigation return flow is one of the most significant components in the water balance of irrigation command areas. A part of the water applied to irrigated field percolates deep to recharge the groundwater which is known as irrigation return flow. In the absence of any studies, it is usually considered as 35% of the water applied for irrigation in case of canal irrigation, and 30% in case of irrigation from groundwater. However, the irrigation return flow depends on many factors including soil moisture characteristics, meteorological parameters, crop type, method of irrigation, depth of water table etc.

The Institute has developed a distributed modelling approach for proper estimation of irrigation return flow.
Science And Technology

Whatever expertise gained by the Institute through interactions and research & development activities is disseminated through various technology transfer activities to user organisations. Main activities include, organisation of workshops, training courses, seminar and symposia etc. at NIH head quarters, it's regional centres and other places covering almost all states. NIH has organised a number of workshops and courses covering a wide variety of topics and thrust areas. Participants are acquanted with the advances techniques and their applications for providing the solutions to real life hydrological problems through lecture, tutorial, computer sessions, laboratory and field visits

Appropriate training packages which include course material, lecture notes, computer programmes etc. is also distributed. Duration of these workshop normaly varies from 5 days to two weeks and sometimes up to 8 weeks depending upon the requirements.

Institute's technical reports are being widely circulated free of cost to various State and Central Government organisations as a part of Technology Transfer Programme.

The Institute has also prepared training modules on various topics related to hydrology and water resources for Indira Gandhi National Open University courses.
Surface Water Hydrology


Ground Water Hydrology

  • Groundwater balance
  • Hydrological aspect of drought
  • Water logging and drainage
    • Others
    Supporting Facilities for Technology Transfer Activities
  • A lecture hall with a capacity of about 100 seats.
  • Well furnished committee rooms with all necessary facilities for discussions.
  • A video hall equipped with Videorama, T.V. and VCR facilities.
  • Over Head Projectors and slide projectors.
  • Hostel accommodation to accommodate 40 participants.
  • Guest house for experts.
  • Adequate number of personal computers for hands - on practice.
  • Fully equipped laboratories for experimental work.
  • Automatic weather station with lysimeter and conventional observatory for field demonstration.
  • Mini bus for field visit/work.
  • Excellent modern library with reprographic facilities.

    • Main activities include Organization of workshops, Training courses, Seminars and symposia etc. Institute's technical reports are widely circulated free of cost to various State and Central Government organizations. NIH INTERACTION

    The Institute has established close interaction with various central & state organisations and state irrigation departments by various activities. The states with which such interactions have been active in recent past include A.P., Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, H.P., J & K, Karnataka, M.P., Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Orrissa, W.B. & U.P.

    Modes of Technical Interaction

    CONSULTANCY AND SPONSORED PROJECTS

    Since the inception of the Institute, besides regular R and D work, the Institute has been carrying out studies referred to it by the various State and Central Government organisations on consultancy basis. Their number has been kept under a reasonable limit with a view to provide more weightage to research activities. Some research projects were sponsored and funded by Government organisations.

    Under the sponsored studies normally the Institute takes up studies having research component which could lead to development of new methodology. Part of data for such studies are provided by the sponsoring agency and some data are generated by the Institute. Field test and laboratory analysis are also carried out by the Institute to determine various hydrological parameters.

    With the experience gained in the past years and keeping in view the needs of developing expertise in emerging areas, it is preferred to take up sponsored studies in following areas :

    The Institute also takes up a limited number of consultancy works in the areas where the technology has been developed and tested by the Institute either under its applied studies or under sponsored studies. The Institute has developed expertise and capabilities in the following demand driven areas:

    Details of some of the sponsored projects highlighting the name of the organisation and area of consultancy is given below:

    Sponsoring Organisation

     Study Areas

    Water and Power Consultancy Services, India Limited Groundwater modelling Narmada PP cell, Govt. of Gujarat Design flood studies National Water Development Agency Water availability studies Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department Design flood studies
    Surface water groundwater interaction studies
    Lake hydrology studies
    Water balance studies     Ministry of Rural Development Drinking water availability studies Gujarat Irrigation Department Flood forecast studies
    Reservoir operation studies     Ministry of Agriculture Development of hydrologic instruments
    Instrumentation for soil moisture measurement
    Directory & buyers guide for hydrological instruments
    Development of data logger and sensor unit for watershed hydrology     Ministry of Water Resources Snow and glacier melt contribution Command Area Development Authority, Govt. of Rajasthan Irrigation application impact studies
    Sub-surface drainage investigation     National Thermal Power Corporation, New Delhi Hydrostatic pressure imbalance study for Kayamkulam gas power project Ministry of Environment & Forest Identification of land slide prone areas using remote sensing technology Rajasthan State Mine and Mineral Limited Hydrological studies at Jhamarkotra mines Ministry of Non- Conventional Energy Sources, AHEC, UOR, Roorkee UNDP-GEF project on optimising development of small hydel resources in the hilly region of India Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi Dokriani glacier melt project
    Integrated hydrological study for sustainable development and management of two hilly watersheds in U.P.
    Monitoring and modelling of melt runoff from Gangotri glacier     Meghalaya State Electricity Board, Govt. of Meghalaya Hydrological studies of Myntdu Leske Catchment Environmental Protection Training & Research Institute, Hyderabad Dam break studies of Pulinchintala multi- purpose project Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam Agra Exploration of construction of infiltration gallery inside the bed of river Yamuna at Agra North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. Mathematical modelling for forecasting floods of different return periods for Tuirial hydro electrical project (Mizoram) Projects under hydrology project Fresh Water - Saline Water Inter Relationships in Multi Aquifer System of Krishna Delta
    Estimation of Irrigation Return Flow in Lokapavani Area of K R Sagar Command of Karnataka
    Joint Reservoir Operation for Bhima River in Maharashtra      

    Some of the important studies carried out by the Institute

    Hydrological Studies at Jhamarkotra Mines

    The objective of the project was to carry out ground water modelling and to suggest the network of pumping wells to achieve the required drawdown in the Jhamarkotra Mines area in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. Identification of source of recharge to the water bearing rock and groundwater potential zones; a total water management plan, design of dewatering wells to achieve drawdown of 15 m per annum; and remedial measures to stop/reduce water ingress to the pit were provided.

    Subsurface Drainage Investigations in Stage-II of IGNP (RD838)

    The objective of this project was to identify the causes of waterlogging, and to design the subsurface drainage in the command area of IGNP main canal at RD 838. In this project, drainage coefficient has been determined through water balance, and field and intercepting drains have been designed.

    Sabarmati System Studies

    Integrated regulation of the Sabarmati system of reservoirs upto Ahmedabad city has been studied for various conservation purposes and for flood control. For each storage structure, optimum rule curves have been derived. A software and a flood control policy have been developed to assist the operation of gates for deciding

     the safe release from the dam at any time. In addition a conceptual model has been calibrated for forecasting inflows at the dam site.

    Glacier and Snow Studies

    The objective of the project is to determine the of total melt water yield from the Dokriani glacier and its distribution with time. It involves collection of the meteorological and hydrological data near the snout of the glacier. The glacier was visited every year and data were collected on site. The data have been analysed to

     establish relationship between glacier melt runoff and meteorological parameters.

    Integrated Hydrological Studies for Lake Nani

    The objective of the project is to investigate water balance, sedimentation rates/pattern, hydrodynamics and pollution aspects of lake Nainital by using conventional and advanced techniques. The study of water balance, sedimentation rates pattern, hydrodynamics and pollution aspects of lake Naini were completed using conventional as well as advanced technique.

    Integrated Management of Watersheds

    The project aims to evolve appropriate model for integrated and sustainable development in the two small hilly watersheds located in Tehri-Garhwal District (U.P.), using an integrated approach of hydrologic instrumentation, field investigations and remote sensing and GIS. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and drainage map for the two watersheds have been prepared. An automatic Weather Station has been installed for collecting data on half-hourly interval. The construction of channel and installation of a weir has been completed for measurement of runoff.

    Development of Indigenous Hydrological Instruments

    The objective of the project was to develop water level sensor, rainfall sensor, suspended sediment sensor to be used with an eight channel data logger. The complete set-up of datalogger alongwith sensors including Solar Power Panel were installed at Indo-German project site, Arki in Himachal Pradesh for the field testing.

    Estimation of Irrigation Return Flow in Lokapavani Area in Krishnarajasagar Command

    The main objectives of this R&D project under the collaboration with the State Government of Karnataka are the quantification of return flow vis-a-vis varying irrigation supplies and the development of methodologies for conducting similar studies in other command areas and setting up criteria for assessing the validity of the results beyond the specific studies sites.

    Fresh Water Saline Water Inter Relationships in the Multi Aquifer System of Kirshna Delta in Coastal Andhra Pradesh

    The studies under this project cover the delta areas on both sides of Krishna river in the Krishna and Guntur districts in Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The project aims to study the freshwater saline water inter relationship, its movement, possible remedial action to negate further penetration of saline water into the coastal aquifers.

    Limnological Study of the Mansar Lake, Distict Udhampur, J&K

    The J&K State Pollution Control Board (J&K SPCB), Jammu approached the Western Himalayan Regional Centre of National Institute of Hydrology, Jammu to carry out the water quality and sedimentation rate study of the Mansar Lake. This collaborative study will be funded and sponsored by J&K State Pollution Control Board, Jammu and will be carried out by Western Himalayan Regional Centre, National Institute of Hydrology, Jammu. The major objectives of the project are : Bathymetric survey of lake, estimation of sedimentation rate in the lake, water quality study and pollution aspects of the lake, formulating strategies for environmtnal management of the lake.

     

    Study on Measures of Artificial Ground Water Recharge in Alluvial and Hard Rock Areas of Maharashtra

    The objective of the present study is technical evaluation of artificial recharge of ground water using some of the existing conventional techniques such as conservation and injection of periodical surplus water available

      after conjunctive use of surface and ground water and investigation of normal techniques of artificial recharge of ground water in Alluvial and Hard Rock Areas of Maharashtra.

    Dam-Break Flood Studies of Polavaram Project

    This consultancy project was referred by Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI), Hyderabad. The objective of the study is to find the flood hydrograph at different locations in the study area due to hypothetical dam-break. Preparation of the inundation map of the area and sensitivity analysis with respect to breach width, time of failure and bed roughness are also included in the analysis. A sensitivity analysis with respect to breach width shows that the maximum water level elevation increases with the increase in breach

     length. Sensitivity analyses with respect to failure time and bed roughness have also been presented. An inundation map has been prepared using the results for maximum water surface elevation and contours of the region.

    Hydrological Studies of Myntdu Leska Catchment

    This project was referred by Meghalaya State Electricity Board, Government of Meghalaya. The MSEB had proposed the site for Hydro Electric project in the 8th plan. The data were collected and frequency analysis was carried out. The project has been completed and final report has been submitted to the sponsoring organisation.

    Surface Water and Ground Water Interaction along river Ganga from Narora to Kanpur

    The aim of the present study is to estimate the exchange of flow rate between river Ganga and the adjacent aquifer between Narora and Kanpur. The mathematical model for interaction of river and multiple aquifer system has been formulated. The expression for computing the river resistance parameter has been derived.

    As per terms of reference, part of the data required for the study have been supplied by the sponsors. The remaining data pertaining to the study, were requested from the Ministry of Water Resources in December, 1998. As advised by Ministry of Water Resources the remaining classified data pertaining to river stage of Ganga in the study area are being collected from CWC, Lucknow.

    Once the complete data are available, the developed model would be tested and study would be completed.

    Temporal Distribution of Glacial melt runoff of Dokriani

    The objective of this project is to determine the total melt water yield from the Dokriani glacier and its distribution with time. It involves collection of the meteorological and hydrological data near the snout of the glacier.The glacier was visited every year and data were collected on site for the four months melt season. A standard hydrometeorological observatory equipped with raingauges, evaporimeter, thermograph, hydrograph, anemometer, wind vane and sunshine recorder was set up at about 4000m altitude. For continuous monitoring of glacier melt runoff, an automatic water level recorder was installed near the snout at the glacier melt stream.

     Suspended sediment samples were also being collected at specified timings. In addition to the collection of meteorological and hydrological data, some experiments of snow and ice melt factors have been conducted on the glacier. Most of data have been analyzed and relationship between glacier melt runoff and meteorological parameters has been established. The final report of the project is under preparation.

    Exploration of Construction of Infiltration Gallery Inside the Bed of River Yamuna at Agra

    This project has been sponsored by Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, Agra. The objective of this project is to study the feasibility of construction of infiltration gallery in the river floodplain near both water works( existing and new) at Agra to provide good quality subsurface water from the bed of river Yamuna.


    Flood Frequency Estimates for Tuirial H.E. Project (Mizoram)

    This consultancy project was referred by the NEEPCO, New Delhi. The purpose of the study is to estimate floods for 25, 50 and 100 year return periods for Tuirial Hydro Electric Project located in Mizoram. Some of the data required for carrying out the study have been received from the sponsors. However, some relevant data

     are being collected by the sponsors and will be soon made available to NIH. The processing and analysis of the available data as well as development of methodology are in progress.

    Indian Association Of Hydrologists

    Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH) was established in year 1977 under the Society registration Act, 1860 of Government of India.

    Aims & Objectives

    (a) to advance the study of hydrology and related subjects and promote their application

    (b) to disseminate the knowledge and application in the field

    (c) to honour individuals for their pioneering and meritorious contributio in the field of hydrology by electing them as honorary life members or inviting them to be patrons of the association.

    (d) to publish relevant literature

    NIH Software Development

    One of the main objective of the Institute is to disseminate the knowledge of Hydrology for the benefit of both field engineers and academic organisations. Under the research programme, Institute has also taken up the work of software development.

     

    Analysis of hydrological data as well as flood estimation form the basis of most of the hydrological studies. For a field engineer having limited knowledge of computer it becomes sometimes difficult to use the available methodology available in the form of computer programmes. Keeping in view this need, some interactive software packages have been developed by National Institute of Hydrology, for Unit Hydrograph derivation, flood estimation, reservoir and channel routing and reservoir operation.

     

    These software are available along with a User's Manual covering various relevant details. Practicing Engineers and Scientists as well as R&D, Field and academic organisations will find these packages of immense use in the flood estimation for various hydraulic structures and similar other uses.

     

     

    NIH INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

     

    Hydrology has grown as an interdisciplinary science after launching of the International Hydrological Decade (1965-74) of UNESCO. Realising the importance of systematic, basic and applied research in the areas of hydrology to solve complex field problems, institute is interacting closely with foreign organisations and agencies through international cooperation. These projects involve scientific collaboration with Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Russia and USA.

     

    Future Plans

    Regional Hydrology
    Software Development
    Real Time Flood Forecasting
    Urban Hydrology
    GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Hydrology
    Water Quality Modelling
    Climate Change Impact Assessment Studies
    Studies on Physically Based Distributed Modelling Considering Different Components of Hydrologic Cycle and the Laws Governing the Hydrologic Processes
    Snow Melt and Glacier Melt Modelling
    Dambreak Analysis
    Flood Routing
    Drought Indices
    Spring Flow Modelling
    Unsaturated Flow Modelling
    Groundwater Flow Modelling
    Drainage of Agricultural Land

    Contact:

    National Institute Of Hydrology
    Roorkee, Hardwar - 247667, Uttaranchal, India. Phone : 91-1332-272106
    Fax : 91-1332-272123 Email : root@nih.ernet.in


    Web Site: http://www.nih.ernet.in/