HYDROLOGICAL MODELS: CONCEPTS AND APPLICABILITIES

Abstract

The understanding of water flow in different environmental compartments is essential in water resources management and sizing of hydraulic works; however, the quantification of these various streams on the spot is very difficult due to the large variability of environmental factors and extension of areas to be studied. Therefore, hydrologic modeling is presented as a key tool in these quantifications. By applying principles of one or more theories and concepts, the hydrologic models are able to reproduce the phenomena of water systems within a defined time scale, estimating components of the hydrologic flow, previously unknown or not quantified. In this context, this paper presents a bibliographic review with the conceptualization and a brief description of the history of hydraulic-hydrological modeling and the major types of hydrologic models, classified according to its conceptualization and its applicability as well.