Inflow
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
As it relates to water, inflow can be defined as the water that enters another body of water. Inflow can be caused by flooding, surface water inflow and gains from groundwater. The opposite of inflow is outflow.
Inflow is typically associated with rivers which may have multiple inflow sources - typically with a single source acting as the predominant one. Inflow control measures (by way of pumps, valves or other devices) may be adopted to ensure that water levels do not exceed certain levels.
[edit] Calculation method
The term inflow can also be used to describe the average volume of incoming water - based on time elapsed. According to a 1978 Journal of Hydrology article by D. J. Gilbert, ‘Calculating lake inflow (note)’, "For small lakes it is not feasible to measure more than a small fraction of the inflow directly. The inflow, defined as gross inflow less surface evaporation and groundwater losses, can be obtained from the conservation of volume equation"
INFLOW = OUTFLOW + (LEVEL CHANGE) x AREA / (TIME STEP)
[edit] Other applications of the term
Other subject areas associated with the term inflow include finance/investment (as in cash flow), fire protection systems (as in airflow), availability of personnel (as in the movement of a large number of people) and dispersal of building materials other than water.
[edit] Related articles
- Groundwater control in urban areas.
- Hydrology.
- Hydropower.
- Sinkholes.
- Rain garden.
- River engineering.
- Tunnelling.
[edit] External resources
- DJ Gilbert, Journal of Hydrology, Calculating lake inflow (note).
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.