Geografie 1978, 83, 22-28
Hydrological Analogy and Its Utilization for the Quantification of Changes of the Hydrological Regimes of Rivers Caused by Human Activity
The utilization of hydrological analogy in the efforts to find out quantitative changes of the hydrological regimes of rivers caused by human activity represents an indirect way of solution which is supported also by other methodological tools of hydrology. In some cases, especially where there are enough hydrological data and analytical pieces of knowledge from a larger area of interest, this indirect way can result in operative establischment of sufficiently reliable information. The utilization of hydrological analogy, however, is mostly related to the provision of preliminary approximative data for basic orientation. This study roughly analyzes general conditions of the utilization of hydrological analogy and specifies in more detail the approaches to its use for indirect evaluation af the changes of the hydrological regimes in catchment areas caused by human activity. It introduces the possibilities of the utilization of: - synchronic observations in parallel catchment areas diverging only through different influence of human activity; - extension of hydrological data by means of analogy to periods with different levels of anthropogenic influence in the given catchment area and mutual comparison of obtained results. The utilization of analogy in hydrology has undergone its evolution and its application for the determination (estimation) of changes of the hydrological regime within a catchment area due to human activity is a relatively new aspect. The development of the approach to this problem on the principle of hydrological analogy depends both on the elaboration of hydrological knowledge and the development of direct methods. In connection with this it is necessary to pav attention above all to empirical and experimental methods, method of water balance, correlation methods and statistical analysis, and utilization of experimental catchment areas and mathematical and physical modelling.
