1.

0 INTRODUCTION

Surface runoff (also known as overland flow) is the flow of water that occurs when
excess stormwater, meltwater, or other sources flows over the Earth's surface. This
phenomena might occur because of the soil is saturated to full capacity due to rain arrives
more quickly than soil can absorb it, or it might due to impervious areas such as roofs and
pavement send their runoff to surrounding soil that unable to absorb all of it. Surface runoff is
also one of the major component of water cycle, and it is the primary agent in soil erosion by
water.

Runoff that occurs on the ground surface before reaching a channel is also called a
nonpoint source. If a nonpoint source contains man-made contaminants, or natural forms of
pollution (such as rotting leaves) the runoff is called nonpoint source pollution. A land area
which produces runoff that drains to a common point is called a drainage basin. When runoff
flows along the ground, it can pick up soil contaminants including petroleum, pesticides, or
fertilizers that become discharge or nonpoint source pollution.

In addition to causing water erosion and pollution, surface runoff in urban areas is a
primary cause of urban flooding which can result in property damage, damp and mold in
basements, and street flooding.

1.1 Determination of Stream Flow

Stream flow can be determined by using a few methods. Discharge is expressed in terms
of volume per unit time passing any given point in the stream. Stream discharge varies with
time & season e.g. dry & wet season. For most streams especially those with small
watershed, no record of discharge is available. In that case, it is possible to make discharge
estimates using the rational method or some modified version of it. However, if chronological
records of discharge are available for a stream, a short term forecast of discharge can be made
for a given rainstorm using a hydrograph. There are also a few methods that can determine
the stream flow:

Velocity Area Method

Mean Section Method
Mid-section Method
1.2 Mean Section Method

To calculate the stream flow of Lake G3, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, mean
section method was used as it is the suitable method to calculate the stream flow. Firstly the
lake was divided into several stations/points approximately 10m apart. At each
stations/points, the width of the lake was divided equally and several readings were taken at
each divided sections including the depth of each sections. Figure below demonstrates on
how the procedure was executed:

Figure 1 : Determination of Lake Depth

After the following parameters were obtained, the recorded data was then tabulated
into the table and calculation for the determination of stream flow can be determined. Stream
flow can be determined by using the following equation:

Q qi
VA
v v d di
i 1 i * i 1 (bi bi 1 )
2 2
Where,
b = Distance from the edge(m)
d = Depth(m)
v = Velocity(m/s)
2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to determine the stream flow of Lake G3, Universiti
Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia by using a suitable method, mean section method.
To measure the velocity and depth of the stream.
To conduct a Problem Based Learning(PBL) and solve the problem.
To be able to communicate effectively in teamwork.