1. What is Rate of Change of Storage?

The Rate of Change of Storage represents how quickly the water storage in a catchment area is changing over time. It is calculated as the difference between the inflow rate and outflow rate of water in the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental water balance equation:

Where:

• \( \frac{dS}{dt} \) — Rate of Change of Storage (m³/s)
• \( I \) — Inflow Rate (m³/s)
• \( Q \) — Outflow Rate (m³/s)

Explanation: This equation represents the basic principle of conservation of mass in hydrology - the change in storage equals the difference between water entering and leaving the system.

3. Importance of Rate of Change Calculation

Details: Calculating the rate of change of storage is crucial for water resource management, flood forecasting, reservoir operation, and understanding hydrological processes in watersheds.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both inflow and outflow rates in cubic meters per second (m³/s). Positive values indicate increasing storage, negative values indicate decreasing storage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive rate of change indicate?
A: A positive value indicates that more water is entering the system than leaving, meaning storage is increasing.

Q2: What does a negative rate of change indicate?
A: A negative value indicates that more water is leaving the system than entering, meaning storage is decreasing.

Q3: What units should be used for input values?
A: The calculator uses cubic meters per second (m³/s) for both inflow and outflow rates.

Q4: Can this be used for any water system?
A: Yes, this fundamental equation applies to any hydrological system including reservoirs, lakes, aquifers, and catchment areas.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The accuracy depends on the precision of the measured inflow and outflow rates. The calculation itself is mathematically exact.