Kontúrvíz

Kontúrvíz is a term used in Hungarian geographical and hydrological literature to describe water distribution linked to contour lines on a terrain representation. The word combines kontúr (contour) and víz (water). The concept is not a single standardized physical quantity, but rather a heuristic for representing how water behaves in relation to elevation, emphasizing the role of slope and elevation in guiding surface water movement along lines of equal height.

In practice, kontúrvíz may refer to models or visualizations where water depth, potential flow, or moisture is mapped along contour lines. It can be used to illustrate areas of expected accumulation or to communicate drainage patterns in topographic analysis, irrigation planning, or erosion control.

In hydrological modelling, the kontúrvíz approach is often a simplification, describing water distribution by a function constant along a contour. It complements more detailed methods that compute runoff and infiltration, and is especially useful in teaching, cartography, and preliminary planning.

Limitations: because it follows contours, kontúrvíz neglects cross-contour variation and does not represent actual three-dimensional flow in complex terrains. The term's exact meaning varies by author, so definitions should be specified in context. Related concepts include contour lines, flood maps, and isohyets.