Water storage in surface water

The process of water storage
in surface water.

Rain (or precipitation in general) can be stored in surface water like rivers, lakes and ponds. The water level will rise. Later, the water will either be transported downstream, seep into the soil (infiltration) or evaporate. Then the level will be normal again.

The amount of water that can be stored depends on the size of the basin and the height that it can rise before it overflows.

When there is more rain than can be stored, infiltrated, or transported the area will flood. The surface water is very important for the temporary storage of water. Drainage or discharge of water out of the area is always a slower process, than storage close to where the water falls. In areas where there’s liitle room for surface water storage creative solutions are sought. Like here in Rotterdam where some roofs are planted. In this way, less water flows from the roofs into to sewage system.

Can you do this calculation of water storage in a canal?