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Sediment and Hydrology
Disproportionate loading of sediment to surface waters degrades the quality of water for biodiversity and human purposes. For example, loss of sediment from uplands and stream banks to streams can clog the fish gills, reduce the dissolved oxygen levels, increase the cost of drinking water treatment, and activate the algae through the transport of nutrients to surface waters. . In the United States (U.S.), The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers sediment as one of the most common pollutant of streams, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. . Therefore, to reduce the loading of sediment to the water, we need information on the dominant sources so that we can apply the best management practices (BMPs) to reduce the sediment pollution. .

Human factors such as increased urbanization, construction of dams affects the sediment transport rate. Therefore, hydrology is of great importance for treating water quality and is necessary for people and their environment. Hydrology has as its primary objective in the study of the interrelationship between water and its environment. In hydrology we apply scientific knowledge and mathematical principles to solve water-related problems. It focuses on major components of hydrologic cycle such as precipitation, evapotranspiration, transpiration, runoff, and groundwater flow. . Hydrology could be used to answer questions such as how much water should be released from the dams, how much rainwater will be transported as surface runoff, how much water is needed and how much is expected? Therefore, hydrology and sedimentation are interlinked as hydrological sciences could be used to estimate peak floods, extreme rainfall events and hence quantification of erosion and sediment. Furthermore, hydrology has practical applications such as design and operation of hydraulic structures, irrigation engineering, flood and drought control, and especially sediment and erosion control. For example, structures such as vegetative filter strips could be designed to control runoff quality and quantity. .

Therefore, combining hydrological sciences and mechanical engineering technologies could lead to development of experimental systems for advanced environmental monitoring. Hydrologic research is important in the development, management, and control of water resources. Its applications are manifold and include stormwater modeling, watershed planning, flood and land-erosion control, waste-water disposal and treatment, flood damage analysis, stormwater detention design, and hydropower generation.