Hydrograph Separation

University of Southeastern Philippines
College of Engineering
Hydrograph Separation

COLLEGE OF GOVERNANCE AND BUSINESS
HYDROGRAPH
HYDROGRAPH
• a graph showing the rate of flow (discharge) versus time in a river or channel.
The rate of flow is typically expressed in cubic meters or cubic feet per second
(cms or cfs).
• Detailed analysis of hydrographs is usually important in flood damage mitigation,
flood forecasting, or establishing design flows for structures that convey
floodwaters.

HYDROGRAPH

• Rising limb – Ascending portion representing rising discharge due to gradual
increase in flow in stream
• Crest Segment – Inflection point on rising limb to falling limb . Indicates the peak
flow
• Falling limb (recession limb) – indicate the time at which rainfall stopped
• Peak rainfall – time at highest rainfall
• Peak Discharge – time when the river reaches its highest flow
• Lag Time – time of delay for the water to find its way to the river

TYPES OF RUNOFF
• Surface Runoff
- the portion of rainfall which enters the stream immediately after the
rainfall
• Subsurface Runoff
- part of rainfall which first leaches into the soil and moves laterally to
the streams, rivers etc.
RAINFALL - the primary source of water for runoff generation over land
surface

TYPES OF HYDROGRAPHS
RUNOFF HYDROGRAPH
-describes the response of a watershed to a
storm.
-Engineers use this information when
designing systems to handle both the peak
flow and total volume of stormwater that
might otherwise cause flooding.
• response of a watershed to a storm. Engineers
designing systems to handle both the peak flow and
total volume of stormwater that might otherwise
cause flooding.

STREAMFLOW HYDROGRAPH
- also called a discharge

hydrograph, describes flows in a
river or stream over months or
years.
- used in water resources planning,
hydropower evaluation, flood
forecasting, environmental
monitoring, and ecosystem
assessment.

WASTEWATER HYDROGRAPH
-Wastewater hydrographs are

important for proper design, planning,
and operation of wastewater collection
systems and treatment facilities.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE SHAPE OF HYDROGRAPH:
Climatic Factors Physiological Factors

CLIMATIC FACTORS
Precipitation
- rainfall tends to produce runoff rapidly
generating hydrograph with high peak.
Rainfall Intensity
- Affect volume of runoff, occurrence of peak
flow, duration of surface flow
- Higher the intensity quicker the peak flow and
conical hydrograph

Duration of Rainfall
- Longer the duration more the
volume
- Longer duration, peak flow occur
after longer time and hydrograph
is flatter with broad base
Direction of Storm Movement
- Affects amount of peak flow and
surface flow duration
Upward direction – lower peak and
broad base
Downward direction – sharp peak
and narrow base

PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Shape of Basin
- Affects the shape of hydrograph
affecting time of concentration
Broad shaped – peak flow occur
soon because of less time of
concentration, narrow hydrograph
with high peak
Fan-shaped – peak flow occur at
longer time interval because of
longer time of concentration, broad
base lower peak hydrograph

Size of Basin
Small basin – flow dominated by
overland flow that joins channel
quickly, peak flow occur quickly

Stream Slope
- More the stream slope higher the slope
of recession limb, reduce base width of
hydrograph
- Small slope make recession limb flatter,
base width wider

Drainage Density
- Higher the drainage density, quicker
the peak flow, recession limb is
steeper with narrow hydrograph
- Lesser the drainage density, slow
moving rising limb and wide base
width

Land use
- Vegetation increases loss of water
- Higher the vegetation density, lesser
the peak flow
- Impermeable surfaces created
by urbanization
will reduce infiltration and
encourage overland flow.

Surface Depression
- Presence of ponds, rills, etc. delay and
modify flow pattern
- Decreases peak flow and wide base
width

UNIT HYDROGRAPH
- Provide an estimate of direct runoff hydrograph resulting from

given excess rainfall hyetograph
- A hydrograph from one unit of constant and uniform rainfall
occurring in the entire watershed

PROBLEM
On a drainage basin of 400 km2 size 8 hours storm was

selected for construction of unit hydrograph.
DATE JULY 9
Time (hours) 8:00 to 10:00 10:00 to 12:00 12:00 to 14:00 14:00 to 16:00
Rainfall Depth 1.07 3.90 3.74 1.09

(cm)
Assume average loss rate of 1 cm/hr for calculating effective

rainfall.

SOLUTION
Step 1:
Using rainfall data hyetograph can be constructed as shown. The horizontal
line can be drawn at 2 cm ordinate. The area above the line gives effective
rainfall. It may be also seen that the duration of effective rainfall is 4 hours
which is equal to specific or unit duration of the hydrograph.

Step 2:
The amount of effective rainfall can be calculated as shown in Table
4.5. The total effective rainfall works out to be 3.64 cm.

Step 3:
The ordinates of the direct runoff hydrograph and 4 hour unit
hydrograph can be calculated as shown. It may be noted that
Direct runoff ordinate = Total runoff ordinate – Base flow ordinate
Unit hydrograph ordinate = Direct runoff ordinate/Direct runoff
expressed in cm

Step 4:
Volume of direct runoff = ∑0 x t = 1011 x 4 x 60 x 60 = 4044 x 3600 m3
Step 5 :
Depth of direct runoff in cm = [(4044 X 3600) / Area of basin in m2] X 100
= (4044 X 3600X100) / (400 X 1000 X 1000) = 3.64 cm
From step 2 and step 5
Depth of direct runoff =Depth of effective rainfall = 3.64 cm
Hence, stepwise calculations are correct.

Step 6:
Volume of runoff from unit hydrograph = ∑ 0 x t = 277.8 x 4 x 60 x 60 m3
Depth of runoff from unit hydrograph in cm = 277.8 x 4 x 60 x 60/400
x1000×1000 x 100 = 1cm
(This is as per definition of unit hydrograph)

Step 7:
Now using the values in columns (3) and (7) ordinates of unit
hydrograph can be plotted against time as abscissa to construct
unit hydrograph as shown.

What is Hydrograph Separation?
Because of the differing characteristics of direct and groundwater runoff, it is

a common practice to divide the hydrograph into two components as a basis for
subsequent analysis.

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Why do we separate hydrographs?
• Baseflow would exist in the stream without the contribution of direct runoff from
the rainfall. Therefore, timing, magnitude, and duration of groundwater return flow
differs from that of direct runoff.
• Estimation of baseflow and direct runoff is useful to understand the hydrology of a

watershed, including interaction of surface and sub-surface water.

COLLEGE
Methods used in separating

Hydrographs

1. Constant Discharge Method or Straight Line Method
• Assumes baseflow is constant regardless

of stream height (discharge).
• Draw a horizontal line segment from
beginning of runoff to intersection with
recession curve.

COLLEGE
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑠
𝑄𝑏 = 𝑄𝑠 , 𝑡𝑠 < 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑒
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 > 𝑡𝑒
Where:
Qdr = direct runoff discharge
Qb = baseflow discharge
Qt = total runoff discharge
Qs = discharge at the starting time
ts = starting time
te = end time

COLLEGE
Example:

COLLEGE
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑠 7−6 7 − 𝑡𝑒
=
𝑄𝑏 = 𝑄𝑠 , 𝑡𝑠 < 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑒 50 − 113 50 − 85
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 > 𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑒 = 6.4 ℎ𝑟
𝑡𝑠 = 2 hr

COLLEGE
Example:
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑠
𝑄𝑏 = 𝑄𝑠 , 𝑡𝑠 < 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑒
𝑄𝑡 , 𝑡 > 𝑡𝑒

COLLEGE
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t (hr) Qt (m3 /s) Qb (m3 /s) Qdr (m3 /s)
-6 6 6 0
0 5 5 0
6 13 5 8
12 26 5 21
18 21 5 16
24 16 5 11
30 12 5 7
36 9 5 4
42 7 5 2
48 5 5 0
54 5 5 0
60 4.5 4.5 0
66 4.5 4.5 0

COLLEGE
Volume

COLLEGE
2. Constant Slope Method
• Draw a line connecting the point (A-C)

connecting a point N time periods after the
peak.
• Location of the point C is where the slope of
the recession curve changes abruptly ,and as
rough guide C is N days after the peak.
𝑁 = 0.83𝐴0.2
Where:
N= number of days between the
peak and the end of runoff
A= area of watershed in km2

COLLEGE
Qe − Qs Qb − Qs Qe - Qs
=
te − ts t −ts
te − ts
Qe − Qs
Qb = (t) + Qs
te Baseflow
discharge
Qdr = Qt – Qb direct runoff
Where:
Qdr = direct runoff discharge
Qb = baseflow discharge Q
Qs = discharge at ts e
Q
Qe = discharge at te s
ts = starting time
te = end time
ts te

COLLEGE
Example:
Catchment area of 602 m2.
t (hr) Qt(m3 /s)

-6 6
0 5
6 13
12 26
18 21
24 16
30 12
36 9
42 7
48 5
54 5
60 4.5
66 4.5

COLLEGE
N= 0.83A0.2
N= 0.83(0.602)0.2
N= 0.75d
24ℎ
(0.75d) ( )=
18h 1𝑑
Qe
So the baseflow starts of 0th h and end at

Qs point (12+18)h= 30h
Qs = 5
Qe = 12
ts ts =0
te te = 30

COLLEGE
t (hr) Qt (m3 /s) Qb (m3 /s) Qdr (m3 /s)
-6 6 6 0
0 5 5 0
6 13 6.4 6.6
12 26 7.8 18.2
18 21 9.2 11.8
24 16 10.6 5.4
30 12 12 0
36 9 9 0
42 7 7 0
48 5 5 0
54 5 5 0
60 4.5 4.5 0
66 4.5 4.5 0

COLLEGE
3. Concave Method
• Assume baseflow decreases while

streamflow increases (i.e. to peak of
storm hydrograph)
• Project hydrograph trend from
minimum discharge value
immediately prior to beginning of
storm hydrograph to directly beneath
hydrograph peak.
• Connect that point to inflection point
on receding limb of storm
hydrograph.
COLLEGE
Where:
qb = baseflow discharge ts = starting time
qs = discharge at ts tp = peak time
qo = initial discharge tr = end time
qr = discharge at tr to = initial time
qm = baseflow discharge at tp

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(29.69 x

COLLEGE
Unit hydrograph

• First proposed by Sherman in 1932.
• Originally named as Unit-Graph.
• Is defined as a Direct Runoff Hydrograph (DRH) resulting from 1 in. of excess
rainfall over an area at a constant rate.

terminologies

D
• Duration of effective rainfall (D) – the time
from start to finish of effective rainfall
• Lag time (L or tp) – the time from the center

of excess rainfall to the peak of the
hydrograph
• Time of rise (TR) – the time from the start of

excess rainfall to the peak of the hydrograph
• Time base (TB) – the total duration of the

TB
DRO hydrograph

Essential steps for developing unit hydrograph
from single storm hydrograph

• Analyze the hydrograph and separate base flow.
• Measure the total volume of Direct Runoff (DRO) under the hydrograph.
• Convert total rainfall to excess rainfall through infiltration methods, such that
excess rainfall = DRO.
• Divide the ordinates of the DRO hydrograph by the volume in inches and plot
these results as the Unit Hydrograph for the basin.

Sample problem

Unit Hydrograph from Complex Storms
❖ Unit hydrographs from complex storms, involving
varying intensities of rain can be obtained by
considering the complex storm as successive unit
storms of different intensities and the runoff
hydrograph (due to complex storm) as the result of
superposition of the successive storm hydrographs.
❖ The ordinates of each storm hydrograph are obtained
as ‘the storm intensity times the corresponding
ordinate of the unit hydrograph’ as shown in Fig. 5.14.
❖ The unit hydrograph ordinates u1, u2, ... are thus
obtained by writing a series of equations for each of
the ordinates Q1, Q2, .... of the runoff hydrograph (due
to complex storm) and successively solving them.

❖ In Fig. 5.14,
Q1 = xu1 ∴ u1 = ?
Q2 = xu2 + yu1 ∴ u2 = ?
Q3 = xu3 + yu2 + zu1 ∴ u3 = ?
and so on. Thus, the tr –hour unit graph ordinates
can be determined. Although the method is straight
forward, errors will creep in due to the assumptions
on the intensity and duration of rainfall and
deduction of an assumed base flow; many trials are
required to get a reasonable unit graph.

Example 5.2 The stream flows due to three successive
storms of 2.9, 4.9 and 3.9 cm of 6 hours duration each
on a basin are given below. The area of the basin is
118.8 km2. Assuming a
constant base flow of 20 cumec, derive a 6-hour unit
hydrograph for the basin. An average
storm loss of 0.15 cm/hr can be assumed.

Solution :
0-6 hr: x = 2.9 – 0.15 × 6 = 2 cm

6-12 hr: y = 4.9 – 0.15 × 6 = 4 cm
12-18 hr: z = 3.9 – 0.15 × 6 = 3 cm
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Example
Calculate the streamflow hydrograph for a storm of 6 inches
excess rainfall, with 2 inches in the first half-hour, 3 inches in
the second half and 1 inch in the third half- hour. Use the half
hour unit hydrograph and assume the baseflow is constant at
500 cfs throughout the flood. (watershed area = 7.03 mi2 )
Time in 1/2 hour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Ordinates of Unit
404 1079 2343 2506 1460 453 381 274 173
Hydrograph
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Sample Calculation
Q1=P1U1
= 2.00 x 4.4
= 808 cfs
Q2=P2U1+ P1U2
= (3.00 x 404) + (2.00 x 1079)
=1212 + 2158
=3370 cfs
Q3= P3U1 + P2U2+ P1U3
= (1.00 x 404) + (3.00 x 1079) + (2.00 x 2343)
= 404 + 3237 + 4686
= 8327 cfs
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• Total Direct Run-off Volume
Vd= Qn(T)
ft3 hr 3600 𝑠
= 54, 438 x 0.5 x
s 1 hr
= 9.80 x 107 ft3
• Depth of Direct Run-off
𝑉𝑑
Depth =
A
(5280 ft)2
A= 7.03 mi2 x = 1.96 x 108 ft2
( 1mi)2
9.80 x 107 ft3

= = 0.5 ft = 6.00 inch
1.96 x 108 ft2
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Rational Method

Rational Formula
➢The rational method is a simple technique for estimating a design discharge
from a small watershed.
Q = CiA
Where:
Q = Maximum Rate of Runoff (cfs)
C = Runoff Coefficient
i = Average Rainfall Intensity (in/hr)
A = Drainage Area (in acres)

The use of the rational method includes the following
assumptions and limitations:
• The drainage area should not be larger than 200 acres (80 hectares).
• The peak flow is assumed to occur when the entire watershed is contributing
runoff.
• Rainfall is distributed uniformly over the drainage area.
• The rainfall intensity is assumed to be uniform over a time duration equal to or
greater than the time of concentration, Tc.
• The peak flow recurrence interval is assumed to be equal to the rainfall intensity
recurrence interval.

Runoff Coefficient (C)
• Dimensionless coefficient relating the amount of runoff to the amount
of precipitation received.
runoff
C=
precipitat ion
• For areas with a mixture of land uses, a composite runoff

coefficient should be used,
n
 C j Aj
Mix Land Use where: Cw = weighted runoff coef
j =1
Cj = runoff coefficient for area j
Cw = Aj = area for land cover
AT
Rainfall Intensity (i)
• The determination of rainfall intensity for use in the Rational Formula
involves consideration of three factors:
I. Average frequency of occurrence.

II. The time of concentration (tc).
III. Intensity-duration characteristics for a selected rainfall
frequency.

Q = C f (CiA)
where:
Cf = Runoff Coefficient
Adjust Factor

II. Time of concentration, tc
• Defined to be the time required for a parcel of runoff to travel from
the most hydraulically distant part of a watershed to the outlet.
Kirpich Method
tc = 0.0078( L / h) 0.385
where: tc , in minutes
L = length of main channel, ft
h = relief along main channel, ft

Morgali and Linsley Method
0 .6
0 . 94 ( nL )
tc =
i 0 .4 S 0 .3
i = design rainfall intensity, in/hr
n = Manning's roughness coef.
L = length of flow
S = slope of flow

Kerby-Hatheway Method
0 . 467
 0 . 67 NL 
tc =  
 S 
N = Kerby's roughness parameter
L = length of flow
S = overland flow slope

III. For IDF curves,
b
i=
(tc + d ) e
where:
tc = time of centration
b, d, e = parameters

Rational Method

Rational Formula
➢The rational method is a simple technique for estimating a design discharge
from a small watershed.
Q = CiA
Where:
Q = Maximum Rate of Runoff (cfs, m3/s)
C = Runoff Coefficient
i = Average Rainfall Intensity (in/hr, mm/hr)
A = Drainage Area (in acres, hectares)

The use of the rational method includes the following
assumptions and limitations:
• The drainage area should not be larger than 200 acres (80 hectares).
• Rainfall is distributed uniformly over the drainage area.
• The rainfall intensity is assumed to be uniform over a time duration equal to or
greater than the time of concentration, Tc.
• The peak flow recurrence interval is assumed to be equal to the rainfall intensity
recurrence interval.
• The rational method does not account for storage in the drainage area. Available
storage is assumed to be filled.

Runoff Coefficient (C)
• Dimensionless coefficient relating the amount of runoff to the amount
of precipitation received.
runoff
C=
precipitat ion
• For areas with a mixture of land uses, a composite runoff

coefficient should be used,
n
 C j Aj
Mix Land Use where: Cw = weighted runoff coef.
j =1
Cj = runoff coefficient for area j
Cw = Aj = area for land cover
AT
Rainfall Intensity (i)
• The determination of rainfall intensity for use in the Rational Formula
involves consideration of three factors:

II. The time of concentration (tc).
III. Intensity-duration characteristics for a selected rainfall
frequency.

Q = C f (CiA)
where:
Cf = Runoff Coefficient
Adjust Factor

• Defined to be the time required for a parcel of runoff to travel from
the most hydraulically distant part of a watershed to the outlet.
Kirpich Method
tc = 0.0078( L / h) 0.385
L = length of main channel, ft
h = relief along main channel, ft

Morgali and Linsley Method
0 .6
0 . 94 ( nL )
tc =
i 0 .4 S 0 .3
i = design rainfall intensity, in/hr
n = Manning's roughness coef.
L = length of flow
S = slope of flow

Kerby-Hatheway Method
0 . 467
 0 . 67 NL 
tc =  
 S 
N = Kerby's roughness parameter
L = length of flow
S = overland flow slope

III. For IDF curves,
b
i=
(tc + d ) e
where:
tc = time of concentration
i=
b, d, e = parameters
amount
i=
duration

Example:
• Given: 175 acres urban Sol'n: Q = CfCia
drainage amount 3 .3
i=
duration
= = 2.2 in/hr
50% - Apartments 1 .5
n
20% - Playgrounds C A
j =1
j j
0.50.5(175) + 0.10.3(175) + 0.20.2(175
30% - Parks Cw = = `
AT 175
1.5 hrs. storm duration
Cw = 0.32
3.3 in. amount of rainfall
Cf = 1.2 (for a 50 year recurrence)
Find: Runoff flow for a 50 year
storm, Q
Q = CfCia = 1.2(0.32)(2.2)(175)
Q = 147.84 cfs

SCS CURVE METHOD

SCS Curve Method
• widely used and efficient method for
estimating the amount of runoff from a
rainfall even in a particular area.
• Soil Conservation Service (SCS) developed

curve number as an index combining
hydrologic soil group and land use factors
• also known as Runoff Curve Number
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SCS Curve Method
CN – runoff curve number
- a parameter combining the effect of
1. Land use
2. Hydrologic soil group
3. Antecedent runoff condition
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SCS Curve Method
where:
Q = runoff volume (inches or mm)
P = rainfall (inches or mm)
S = maximum potential retention (inches or mm)
Ia = initial abstractions
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SCS Curve Method
where:
Q = runoff volume (inches or mm)
P = rainfall (inches or mm)
S = maximum potential retention (inches or mm)
= 5 times the initial abstraction
Ia = initial abstractions
CN = transformation of S
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SCS Curve Method
1. Land use
2. Hydrologic Soil Group
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SCS Curve Method
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SCS Curve Method
1. Land use
2. Hydrologic Soil Group
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SCS Curve Method
1. Land use
2. Hydrologic soil group
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SCS Curve Method
• Antecedent Moisture Condition
The soil moisture condition in the drainage

basin before runoff occurs is another important
factor influencing the final CN value.
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• Antecedent Moisture Condition
AMC I: The soils in the drainage basin are

practically dry (i.e. the soil moisture
content is at wilting point).
AMC II: Average condition.
AMC III: The soils in the drainage basins are
practically saturated from antecedent rainfalls
(i.e. the soil moisture content is at field
capacity).
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EXAMPLE
• A watershed has 40% residential (1/4 ac
lots), 25% open space (good condition),
20% commercial and business (85%
impervious) and 15% industrial (72%
impervious) with corresponding soil
groups of C, D, C and D.
• What is the depth of runoff from 6 in of
rain
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EXAMPLE 2
A watershed with CN = 60 experiences 4 in
of precipitation. What is the direct runoff?
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FLOOD ROUTING
Flood routing is the technique of determining the
flood hydrograph at a section of a river by
utilizing the data of flood at one or more upstream
sections.

TYPES OF FLOOD ROUTING
• RESERVOIR ROUTING
• CHANNEL ROUTING

FLOOD ROUTING
HYDROLOGIC ROUTING HYDRAULIC ROUTING

(Based on Continuity Equation) (Based on Momentum Equation)
RESERVOIR ROUTING CHANNEL ROUTING

FLOW ROUTING
Flow Routing is a mathematical procedure
for predicting the changing magnitude, speed
and shape of flood wave as a function of time
at one or more points along a watercourse.

APPLICATION OF FLOW ROUTING
For accounting changes in flow hydrograph as a flood wave passes
downstream
• Flood:
•Flood Forecasting
•Flood Protection
•Flood Warning
• Design:
•Water conveyance (Spillway) systems
•Protective measures
•Hydro-system operation
• Water Dynamics:
•Ungauged rivers
•Peak flow estimation
•River-aquifer interaction
FLOW ROUTING
• Procedure to determine
the flow hydrograph at a
point on a watershed
from a known
hydrograph upstream
• As the hydrograph
travels, it
• attenuates
• gets delayed

WHY ROUTE FLOWS?
• Account for changes in flow

hydrograph as a flood wave
passes downstream
• This helps in
•Calculation for storages
•Studying the attenuation of

flood peaks

TYPES OF FLOW ROUTING:
a. Lumped flow or hydrologic routing

Flow is computed as a function of time at
one location along a watercourse.
b. Distributed Flow Routing or hydraulic

routing
Flow is computed as a function of time
simultaneously at several cross sections
along the watercourse.
BASIC EQUATIONS
The equation of continuity used in all hydrologic routing as the primary equation
states that the difference between the inflow and outflow rate is equal to the rate
of change of storage.

𝑑𝑆
𝐼−𝑄 =
𝑑𝑡
• Storage can be expressed as a For a linear reservoir, S=kQ
function of I(t) or Q(t) or both

LUMPED FLOW ROUTING
Three types:
1. Level Pool Method (Modified Puls Method)
• Storage is nonlinear function of Q
2. Muskingum Method
• Storage is linear function of I and Q
3. Series of Reservoir Models
•Storage is linear function of Q and its time derivatives

LEVEL POOL ROUTING
Procedure for calculating outflow hydrograph Q(t)
from a reservoir with horizontal water surface, given its
inflow hydrograph I(t) and storage-outflow relationship

LEVEL POOL METHODOLOGY

• Given
•Inflow hydrograph
•Q and H relationship
• Steps:
1. Develop Q versus Q+ 2S/Dt relationship using
Q/H relationship
2. Compute Q+ 2S/Dt using
3. Use the relationship developed in step 1 to get Q

EXAMPLE:
A reservoir for detaining flood flows is 1 acre

in horizontal area, has vertical sides, and has
5 feet diameter reinforced concrete pipe as
the outlet structure. The head water-discharge
is given by columns 1 & 2 of the following
table. Use the level pool routing method to
calculate the reservoir outflow from the
inflow hydrograph given in columns 3 & 4.
Assume the reservoir is initially empty.
GIVEN I(t) GIVEN Q/H
Time (min) Inflow (cfs) Elevation, H Discharge, Q
0 0
(ft) (cfs)
10 60
0 0
20 120
0.5 3
30 180
1 8
40 240
1.5 17
50 300
2 30
60 360
2.5 43
70 320
3 60
80 280
3.5 78
90 240
4 97
100 200
4.5 117
110 160
5 137
120 120
5.5 156
130 80
6 173
140 40
6.5 190
150 0
7 205
160 0
7.5 218
170 0
8 231
180 0
190 0 Area of the reservoir= 1 acre, outlet diameter= 5ft8.5 242
9 253
200 0
9.5 264
University
210 of Southeastern 0Philippines
COLLEGE OF GOVERNANCE AND BUSINESS 10 275
Step 1 2𝑆
Develop Q vs ∆𝑡 + 𝑄 relationship using Q/H relationship
Elevation Discharg Storage, 2𝑆
+𝑄
, H (ft) e, Q (cfs) S (ft3) ∆𝑡
0 0 0 0 S= AREA X HEIGHT= 43560 X
0.5 3 21780 75.6 0.5= 21780 ft3
1 8 43560 153.2
1.5 17 65340 234.8 2𝑆 2 x 21780
2 30 87120 320.4
= +𝑄 + 3 = 75.6 cfs
∆𝑡 10 x 60
2.5 43 108900 406
3 60 130680 495.6
3.5 78 152460 586.2
4 97 174240 677.8
4.5 117 196020 770.4
5 137 217800 863
5.5 156 239580 954.6
6 173 261360 1044.2
6.5 190 283140 1133.8
7 205 304920 1221.4
7.5 218 326700 1307
8 231 348480 1392.6
8.5 242 370260 1476.2
9 253 392040 1559.8
9.5 264 413820 1643.4
10 275 435600 1727
Step 3
Use the relationship between 2s/∆t + Q
to compute Q
Use the Table/graph created in Step 1 to

compute Q What is the value of Q if
2S/Δt + Q = 60 ?
(3−0)
Q=0 + (60-0)= 24 cfs
(76−0)
So, Q2 is 2.4 cfs
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for j=2, 3, 4… to

compute
University Q3Philippines
of Southeastern , Q4 , Q5…..
RESULTS
12
10 Outflow
Storage (acre-ft)
8 Hydrograph
6
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
Time (mins)
Peak outflow intersects

with the receding limb of
the inflow hydrograph

Q/H RELATIONSHIP

http://www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/W2Q/H&H/Tools_Models/Sites.htm
l
Muskingum Method
University
of Southeastern PhilippinesPhilippines
OF ENGINEERING
• Method traditionally applied to linear
hydrologic storage routing
• Commonly used in hydrologic routing
method for handling a variable discharge-
storage relationship
• Combination of wedge and prism
storages.
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• COLLEGE
OF ENGINEERING
• During the advance
of a flood wave,
inflow exceeds
outflow, producing
a wedge of storage.
• During recession,
outflow exceeds
inflow, producing a
negative wedge.
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OF ENGINEERING
Sprism= KQ
Swedge= KX(I-Q)
S= KQ+KX(I-Q)
S= K[XI+(1-X)Q]
K = travel time of the flood wave Advancing Flood Wave
through the chanel reach I>Q
X = weight on inflow versus
outflow
(0 ≤ X ≤ 0.5)
X = 0 ➔ Reservoir, storage
depends on outflow, no wedge
X = 0.0 - 0.3 ➔ Natural stream
X= 0.5 ➔ Full wedge Receding Flood Wave
Q>I
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Muskingum Method (Cont.)
S = K[ XI + (1− X )Q]
S j+1 − S j = K{[ XI j+1 + (1− X )Q j+1 ] − [ XI j + (1− X )Q j ]}
Recall:
I j+1 + I j Q j+1 + Q j
S j +1 − S j = t − t
2 2
t − 2KX
Combine: C1 =
2K (1− X ) + t
Q j+1 = C 1 I j+1 + C 2 I j + C 3 Q j t + 2KX
C2 =
2K (1− X ) + t
2K (1− X ) − t
C3 =
2K (1− X ) + t
If I(t), K and XOFare
COLLEGE known, Q(t) can be calculated using aboveequations
ENGINEERING
Muskingum Flood Routing Example
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OF ENGINEERING
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OF ENGINEERING
ROUTING OF FLOW THROUGH A RIVER
REACH BY THE MUSKINGUM METHOD
Inflow Outflow
800
700
600
FLOW RATE (CFS) 500

400
300
200
100
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
TIME
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Example 2
The inflow hydrograph to a river
reach is given in columns 1 and
2. Determine the outflow
hydrograph from this reach if K
= 2.3 hrs.,
X = 0.15 and Δt = 1 hr. The
initial outflow is 85 ft 3 /s.
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Given:
Find
C1
C2
C3
Note: Check if the sum of coefficients 𝑪𝟏 , 𝑪𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝑪𝟑 is equal to 1.
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Time Inflow C1Ij+1 C2Ij C3Qj Outflow
(h) (I) cfs (C1=0.0631) (C2=0.3442) (C3=0.5927) (Q) cfs
1 93 0.0 0.0 0.0 85.0
2 137 8.6 32.0 50.4 91.0
3 208 13.1 47.2 54.0 114.2
Q2=C1Ij+1 +C2Ij+C3Q j
4 320 20.2 71.6 67.7 159.5
5 442 27.9 110.1 94.5 232.6
6 546 34.5 152.1 137.8 324.4
7 630 39.8 187.9 192.3 420.0
= (0.0631)(137) + 8 678 42.8 216.8 248.9 508.5
(0.3442)(93)+ 9 691 43.6 233.4 301.4 578.4
10 675 42.6 237.8 342.8 623.2
(0.5927)(85) 11 634 40.0 232.3 369.4 641.7
12 571 36.0 218.2 380.4 634.6
13 477 30.1 196.5 376.1 602.8
= 8.6+32.0+50.4 14
15
390
329
24.6
20.8
164.2
134.2
357.3
323.6
546.1
478.6
= 91 cfs 16 247 15.6 113.2 283.7 412.5
17 184 11.6 85.0 244.5 341.1
18 134 8.5 63.3 202.2 274.0
19 108 6.8 46.1 162.4 215.3
20 90 5.7 37.2 127.6 170.5
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OF ENGINEERING
ROUTING OF FLOW THROUGH A RIVER REACH BY THE
MUSKINGUM METHOD
Inflow (I) cfs Outflow (Q) cfs
800
700
600
FLOW RATE (CFS) 500
400
300
200
100
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
TIME
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OF ENGINEERING

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