Water in Environmental Planning

This is a great text for water resource consultants and managers. It is well organized and comprehensive. It bridges the diciplines of hydrology, forest hydrology and resource management.

Despite its age and somewhat outdated nomenclatures, this book is still the best comprehensive introductory hydrology book in existence. There are better quantitative hydrology texts (e.g., Dingman), better engineering texts (e.g., Chow and prodigies), more cogent overviews of hydrology (e.g., Hornberger et al.), and more appropriate "handbooks" (e.g., Chow or Maidment). But, Dunne and Leopold is the only text I know of that provides a good balance among applied context, quantitative tools, and conceptual descriptions of basic and integrated processes while retaining its comprehensive character without copious mistakes and errors. I sincerely hope that a new, similarly good text emerges soon.

first chapter is dry but the rest of the book is a thorough compilation of techniques, history, design, purpose and review.

Dunne & Leopold's "Water In Environmental Planning" is a great tool of reference for the planner of any type. It addresses key issues in the role of water during the planning process and also includes important formulas for solving water problems. If you can get past a boring first chapter, this book is well worth the money and makes a great reference for the urban, rural or environmental planner. 4 stars.