FLOOD02234

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Hydrologic Aspects of Project Planning
• Date: 3/7/1972
• Prepared For: US
• Prepared By: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

quick answers to traditional problems at a relatively low cost. In the
earliest comprehensive planning efforts, these answers were incorporated
into the overall studies to the satisfaction of both the engineer and
the planner.

As the scope of the comprehensive study increased and as more bene-
ficial uses of water began to be considered, it became apparent that
computerization of existing techniques would not completely satisfy the
emerging requirements. Not only were existing techniques inadequate for
supplying answers to the relatively new problems--it was discovered that
in many instances the answers produced by traditional techniques were not
consistent with the scope and objectives of the comprehensive study.
Consequently, money and time were being consumed in the production of
answers ,which were not always really commensurate with the requirements
for the overall study. Thus, it became apparent that the real need was
for new techniques--techniques developed with consideration being given
to the ultimate applications of the results and which would employ the
capabilities of the computer to go beyond techniques primarily oriented
toward manual computation.

Several factors have traditionally influenced the development of new
hydrologic techniques. First, there have been notable communication failures
between persons responsible for overall planning of a study and persons respon-
sible for conducting the hydrologic analyses. Differences in planning
objectives are not always effectively communicated to the hydrologic engineer,
and consequently there are too many instances where the hydrologic analyses
are not completely responsive to the overall study needs. Expensive restudies
are sometimes required and the overall study progress can be delayed until
they are completed. On the other hand, the hydrologic engineer sometimes
fails to clearly identify the problems associated with the analysis of basic
hydrologic data. When this happens, the planner is unable to properly
program the hydrologic analyses, and the usual result is that the time
and funds allowed for hydrologic analyses are not adequate.

Another factor which has adversely affected the development of new
techniques is the imposition of arbitrary standards of accuracy or relia-
bility upon the results produced by new techniques. Hydrologic engineers
and water resources planners must work together to clearly identify the
significance and limitations of results from new procedures 'rather than
to unilaterally impose arbitrarily high standards of accuracy which might
not be consistent with the intended use of the results or with the accuracy
of the available basic data.

Finally, the development of new techniques has been impeded when
engineers or planners refuse to deviate from traditional techniques,
irrespective of the applicability or utility of the techniques to the
problem at hand. As long as this attitute exists, there is little oppor-
tunity for innovative engineering work to respond to new challenges.

6