Rainfall-Runoff Relation

• DEFINIT IO N O F HYDRO G RAPH

• FACTO RS AFFECT ING T HE SHAPE O F HYDRO G RAPH

AF I NI D AD , F AI R Y S S A J AM AQ UI L AN , HE R M O G E NE S
G R O UP 5 : AD S UAR A , Y VE S M AG S I P O C , AL E J O R E Y

G AVI L AN, S HE L L A M AE TANO , J E S T E R

Hydrograph,
What is it?
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
- River hydrographs show how a river responds to precipitation events
within its drainage basin. The hydrograph shows changes in discharge
over time.

- It is mainly collected from gauging sites located at different sites along

the course of the river.

- The hydrograph is important for feeding in data on the potenital

magnitude and frequency of floods. They are therefore a vital means to
managing rivers and drainage basins.
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
- Hydrographs help us understand water patterns and
statistics.

- They also allow us to forecast future conditions based

on historical data.
Measuring Discharge
A simple way of estimating discharge is to observe the time it
takes for a floating object that is tossed into the stream to
travel a specified distance. A measurement of the cross
section of the stream should be made simultaneously and
the two values are then multiplied together:

Q = Av
Where : Q is the discharge, A is the cross-sectional Area, and
V is the velocity of the stream.
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
- This method of estimating discharge is not accurate, however, because
velocity of a stream varies from point to point with depth and width over
the cross section of the stream.
- The velocity at the surface is greater than the mean velocity of the
stream.
- Actual velocity is generally assumed to be about 80–85% of surface
velocity.

-The velocity profile can be estimated by dividing the cross section of a

stream into vertical sections and measuring the mean velocity of the
stream at each section
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
The area of each section can be determined and the average discharge
of the entire stream computed as the sum of the product of area and
velocity of each section as follows:
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
Measuring Discharge
Stream Gauging - is a technique used to measure the discharge, or the
volume of water moving through a channel per unit time, of a stream. The
height of water in the stream channel, known as a stage or gage height,
can be used to determine the dischage in a stream. When used in
conjunction with velocity and cross-sectional area measurements, stage
height can be related to discharge for a stream.

If a weir or flume (devices, generally made of concrete, located in a

stream channel that have a constant, known shape and size) is used,
mathematical equations based on the weir or flume shape can be used in
conjunction with stage height, negating the need for velocity
measurements.
Measuring Discharge
- Stream water velocity is typically measured using a current meter.
Current meters generally consist of a propeller or a horizontal wheel with
small, cone-shaped cups attached to it which fill with water and turn the
wheel when placed in flowing water. The number of rotations of the
propeller or wheel-cup mechanism corresponds with the velocity of the
water flowing in the stream.
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
Measuring Discharge
Measuring Discharge using a weir:
Hydrograph? What's hydrograph?
Rainfall and Run-off Relationship
- When it rains, water reaching the ground surface infiltrates into the soil
until it reaches a stage where the rate of rainfall (intensity) exceeds the
infiltration capacity of the soil. Thereafter, surface puddles, ditches, and
other depressions are filled (depression storage), after which runoff is
generated.
Rainfall and Run-off Relationship
- If rainfall continues at a constant
intensity over a long period of time,
storage is filled up at some point, and
equilibrium discharge can be
reached, wherein the inflow and
outflow are equal.
Stage and Discharge Relationship
- The relationship between the amount of
water flowing in a river or stream and stage
at any particular point is usually known as
stage–discharge relationship.
- Stage–discharge relationships for flow in
rivers and channels are established by
concurrent measurements of stage (y) and
discharge (Q) (through velocity
measurements, dilution methods, or other
techniques) and the results are fitted
graphically or statistically to yield the
development of rating curves. The dynamic
relationship between stage and discharge,
which is unique to a particular selected
station along the river, can be determined via
mathematical relationships.
 Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
Rainfall 90.9mm
depth

Temporal pattern of Australian rainfall and runoff

Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
Calculate the rainfall excess hyetograph by removing the
initial loss (IL) and continuing loss (CL).
For this example, IL = 10 mm and CL = 2 mm/h.
Note that the continuing loss is 2 mm/h and the time step
of the hyetograph is 0.5 h so 1 mm is lost per time step.
Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
- Multiply the rainfall excess by the catchment area (converts rainfall
to a volume)
- Divide by the time step (to calculate volume per unit time)
- Ensure the units are correct – calculated flow is is m3/s, rainfall is in
mm and catchment area is in km2.
Constructing a Hydrograph from a
Hyetograph
FACTORS AFFECTING THE SHAPE OF
HYDROGRAPH:

• CLIMATIC FACTOR
• PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTOR
 CLIMATIC FACTORS
◦ Precipitation
- Rainfall and snowfall – 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
◦ Distribution of Rainfall
- When heavy rain occur near outlet
- Peak flow occur quickly
- When heavy rain occur in upper areas
- Peak flow occur after few hours
- Lower peak and broad base (more time taken for flow to reach outlet)
◦ 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 urbanisation
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
Rainfall-Runoff Relation
• HYDROGRAPH COMPONENT S
• HYDROGRAPH/ BASEFLOW SEPARAT ION
HYDROGRAPH COMPONENTS
A-C Rising limb - Generally reflects storm
characteristics.

B-D Crest segment - Highest concentration of

runoff.

C-E Recession limb - Withdrawal of stored

water.

A-E Base time of hydrograph - Duration of

runoff.
HYDROGRAPH/BASEFLOW SEPARATION
What is
Baseflow?

-It is the portion

of (stream) flow
that comes from
groundwater or
other 1 delayed
sources.
There are 3 popular methods of separation of base flow
and direct runoff in a single peaked storm hydrograph.
They are:

1. Straight line method

2. Constant slope method
3. Concave method
1. STRAIGHT LINE METHOD
-In this method the separation of the
base flow is achieved by joining with
a straight line the beginning of the
surface runoff to a point on the
recession limb representing the end
of the direct runoff.
2. CONSTANT SLOPE METHOD
 connect inflection point on receding limb of
storm hydrograph to beginning of storm
hydrograph
 Assumes flow from aquifers began prior to
start of current storm, arbitrarily sets it to
inflection point
 Draw a line connecting the point (A-C)
connecting a point N time periods after the
peak.
𝑁 = 0.83𝐴0.2
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.
EXAMPLE:

Rainfall of magnitude 3.8 cm and 2.8 cm occurring on two consecutive 4-h durations on a catchment area 27km2
produced the following hydrograph of flow at the outlet of the catchment. Baseflow Seperation using Straight
Line Method.
Using Constant Slope Method

N= 0.83A0.2
N= 0.83(0.602)0.2
N= 0.75d = 18h
Example:
The daily stream flow data
at a site having a drainage
area of 6500 km2 are given
in the following table.
Separate the base flow using
the concave method.
N = 0.83A0.2 = 0.83(6500)0.2 =
4.6 days (Approx. 5 days)
Rainfall-Runoff Relation
• THE UNI T HY DROGRA PH
• E S TI MATION OF DI S CHA RGE US I NG UNI T HY DROGRA PH
Unit Hydrograph
The unit hydrograph is a method proposed by Sherman which helps calculate
peak flows for small to medium sized basin. It is the direct runoff hydrograph resulting
from unit depth of excess rainfall produced by a storm of uniform intensity and specified
duration.

References: Maidment, D. , Handbook of Hydrology; Prakash, A. Water Resources Engineering:

Handbook of Methods and Design; Kharagpur, Water Resources Engineering
Unit Hydrograph

Images taken from : https://serc.Carleton.edu/hydromodules/steps/derivation_unit.html and

www.yourarticlelibrary.com/water/surface-runoff/estimation-of-runoff-and-peak-flow-by -unit-hydrograph/60571
Total Runoff Hydrograph = DRH + Baseflow

Photo Courtesy of The COMET Program

Unit Hydrograph
• Watershed (basin) – the geographical area or a catchment area that contributes to the
flow of a river

Reference: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-differences-between-catchment -area-river-basin-

watershed-command-area-drainage-basin
Unit Hydrograph
• Base Flow – the part of an observed hydrograph which comprises largely of
groundwater

Reference: www.dwa.gov.za/Groundwater/Groundwater_DIctionary/index.html?introduction_baseflow_index.html
www.yourarticlelibrary.com/water/hydrology/construction-of-unit-hydrograph-14-steps/60530
Unit Hydrograph
• Direct Runoff Hydrograph – the part of an observed hydrograph excluding base flow

Reference: www.dwa.gov.za/Groundwater/Groundwater_DIctionary/index.html?introduction_interflow.htm
www.yourarticlelibrary.com/water/hydrology/construction-of-unit-hydrograph-14-steps/60530
Unit Hydrograph
• Method of Proportionality – used to create a unit hydrograph from a direct runoff
hydrograph; direct runoff hydrograph (DR) is proportional to a unit hydrograph (UH)

𝑄𝐷𝑅 ∝ 𝑄𝑈𝐻

𝑉𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓
Equivalent Runoff Depth = 𝐴𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑

Reference: Seema Shah-Fairbank (2015), Unit Hydrograph and Proportionality

Unit Hydrograph
Steps for the Analysis of Unit Hydrographs of Constant Rainfall Intensity:
1. Compute the total volume of direct runoff by adding all direct runoff values and
multiplying the sum by the time interval.
2. Find the equivalent runoff depth by dividing the runoff volume by the basin area.
3. The ordinates of the required unit hydrograph can simply be obtained by dividing the
ordinates of direct runoff hydrograph by the equivalent depth of total direct runoff.

Note: This analysis is only applicable for a single peak hydrograph resulting from a single
storm event.

Reference: https://serc.carleton.edu/hydromodules/steps/baseflow_separa.html
https://serc.Carleton.edu/hydromodules/steps/derivation_unit.html
Example #1
Assume the total runoff hydrograph was measured over 4 hours in 30 minutes intervals. The
baseflow is 10 cfs and the watershed is 100 acres. Determine the unit hydrograph given the
following total flow of runoff.
Time (hrs) Qt
0 50
0.5 50
1 80
1.5 160
2 210
2.5 180
3 155
3.5 110
4 60
Reference: Seema Shah-Fairbank (2015), Unit Hydrograph and Proportionality
 250

200

150
Q (cfs)

100

50

BASE FLO W
0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5

Time (hrs)
Table 1. Presentation of Total Runoff Hydrograph

Reference: Seema Shah-Fairbank (2015), Unit Hydrograph and Proportionality

 Qt QDR (Qt-Baseflow) QUH (QDR/EDR)
50 40 8.7
80 70 15
160 150 33
210 200 43
180 170 37
155 145 32
110 100 22
60 50 11

𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑡 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐 12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ

(40 + 70 + 150 + 200 + 170 + 145 + 100 + 50) 𝑠𝑒𝑐 (30 𝑚𝑖𝑛)( 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 )( 1 𝑓𝑡 )
𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ =
43 560 𝑠𝑞 𝑓𝑡
100 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠 ( 1 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒 )

𝐸𝑅𝐷 = 4.6 𝑖𝑛

Reference: Seema Shah-Fairbank (2015), Unit Hydrograph and Proportionality

 TRH UH

250

200

150
Q (cfs)

100

50

BASE FLO W
0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5

Time (hrs)
Table 1. Presentation of Total Runoff Hydrograph (TRH) and Computed Unit Hydrograph (UH)

Reference: Seema Shah-Fairbank (2015), Unit Hydrograph and Proportionality

Example #2
Assume that a 6-hour Unit Hydrograph (UH) of a catchment has been derived, generate
the Direct Runoff Hydrograph (DRH) from a given Effective Rainfall

Time (hr) Effective Rainfall (cm)

0 0
6 2
12 4
18 3
Given: Time vs. Discharge
Given: Derived Ordinates
Time (hrs) UH Ordinates (m3/s) Time (hrs) UH Ordinates (m3/s)

0 0 48 97

6 5 54 66

12 15 60 40

18 50 66 21

24 120 72 9

30 201 78 3.5

36 173 84 2

42 130
Solution:
For the third column:
UH Ordinates x Effective Rainfall = Direct Runoff due to excess rainfall
Plot Individual DRH based on the Table
For the fourth column:
UH Ordinates x Effective Rainfall = Direct Runoff due to excess rainfall
Plot Individual DRH based on the Table
For the fifth column:
UH Ordinates x Effective Rainfall = Direct Runoff due to excess rainfall
Plot Individual DRH based on the Table
Final Hydrograph
Rainfall-Runoff Relation
• DEFINIT ION AND IMPORTANCE OF FLOOD ROUT ING
• FLOOD ROUT ING MET HODS
Routing is variously defined as follows:
Routing, flood—The procedure that determines the timing and magnitude of a flood
wave at a point on a stream from the known or assumed data at one or more points
upstream (Chow, 1964).

Routing, flow—A mathematical procedure that predicts the changing magnitude, speed,
and shape of a flood wave as a function of time at one or more points along a
watercourse (Maidment, 1993).
Importance of Flow Routing
Reservoir Management

Many communities rely on reservoirs to supply their water needs. In order for
reservoirs to be effective, they must experience periodic high water volumes. Engineers
must be able to predict how the reservoir will respond under these conditions,
maximizing the usage of the water while preventing dangerous floods. Engineers use
flood routing to decipher whether community needs will be met, whether outflow is
needed, and how water management strategies should be adjusted.
Importance of Flow Routing
Environmental Stewardship

Flood routing can be used as one tool for understanding how precipitation and
other conditions affect the waterway as a whole. For example, it can help researchers to
understand how weather patterns and other environmental factors affect the plants and
animals who rely on the river environment. Flood conditions and other cyclical changes
in waterway behavior often have a profound impact on erosion, which scientists must be
aware of to plan their conservation efforts.
Importance of Flow Routing
Flood Preparation and Response

Even if flooding is rare, the conditions that could cause it may arise with very
short notice. Before the danger materializes, hydrologists can use flood routing to
understand the potential effects – and what steps should be taken in preparation. This
can reduce the risk to lives and property. It can also provide information to others, such
as epidemiologists, to safeguard against related public health risks.
Types of Flood Routing
Lumped/Hydrologic

◦ Flow is a f(time) at one location along a watercourse

◦ Governed by Continuity equation and Flow/Storage relationship
Types of Flood Routing
Distributed/Hydraulic

◦ Flow f(space, time) at several cross sections along the watercourse

◦ Governed by Continuity and Momentum equations
Types of Flood Routing
Three types of Hydrologic Routing:
1. Level pool 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

Level pool routing refers to one of the

more straight-forward methods for
calculating reservoir outflow given an
input hydrograph (time vs inflow)
along with information about basin
discharge relative to elevation.
Level Pool Routing
Modified Pul’s Method

 is most often applied to reservoir routing (storage related to outflow)

 is straightforward given that the discharge versus storage indication relationship can be
directly defined once storage and discharge rating tables are computed or input for the
reac
Level Pool Routing
Modified Pul’s Method
Level Pool Routing
Modified Pul’s Method
Sample Problem
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 the following table. Use the level pool routing method
to calculate the reservoir outflow from the inflow hydrograph given. Assume the
reservoir is initially empty.
Muskingum Method
Definition
 commonly used hydrologic routing method
Calculates discharge within a reach (length
of a stream or river) given the inflow
hydrograph at the upstream end
Muskingum method’s parameter K & X are
specified. Both are fixed.
Muskingum Method
Formula
Combination of wedge and prism storage
Prism Storage – volume that would exist if uniform
flow occurred at the downstream depth
Wedge Storage – volume formed between the
actual water surface profile and top surface of the
prism change.
 Muskingum Method
Calculations
Formula
NOTE:

It is important to check if the coefficients Co + C1 + C2 = 1.

If not, some adjustments to the coefficients are needed. If there
are rounding errors, adjust the largest value first.
Where Oj= initial outflow
Example 1:

Given an initial outflow of 1 cu.m/sec.

Solution
Given:

K= 3 hr
X = 0.3
Time interval= 3hr

Formula used:
Solution
Answer:
Graph
Example No. 2
Example No. 2

Given Table -
Example No. 2

Solution-
Estimation of
Parameters, k & x
• MUSKINGUM MET HOD
-GRAPHICAL MET HOD
-LEAST SQUARE PROCEDURE
Graphical Method
Example
 Least Square Procedure
Example
Given:
Inflow t= 1 hr
Outflow
Initial Storage

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~ramirez/ce_old/classes/cive322-Ramirez/CE322_Web/Example_MuskingumRouting.htm
 To solve for the next value of
Storage:

Equation 1: Equation 2:

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~ramirez/ce_old/classes/cive322-Ramirez/CE322_Web/Example_MuskingumRouting.htm
 To solve for the values of k & x,

K = A + B (in seconds)
X = A / (A+B)

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~ramirez/ce_old/classes/cive322-Ramirez/CE322_Web/Example_MuskingumRouting.htm
 𝑸𝑷 = cὶA

Rainfall-Runoff Relation
• T HE RAT IONAL MET HOD
PEAK FLOW CALCULATION:
THE RATIONAL METHOD
Assumptions of the Rational Method
Rainfall intensity is constant at all time
Rainfall is uniformly distributed in space
Storm duration is equal to time of concentration

(time of concentration – time for the runoff to become established and

flow from the most remote part of the drainage area to drainage outlet)
THE RATIONAL METHOD

𝑸𝑷 = cὶA
where:
𝑄𝑃 - peak flow rate (cms or cfs)
C – runoff coefficient
ὶ – average rainfall intensity (mm/hr or in/hr)
A – drainage area (hectare or acre)
RUNOFF COEFFICIENT(C)
-dimensionless ratio intended to indicate the
amount of runoff generated by a watershed given
a average intensity of precipitation for a storm.
Where:
𝑅
R = Total depth of runoff C= 𝑃
P = Total depth of precipitation
Table 15.1.1 of Applied Hydrology by
Chow et. al.)
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (tc)
•If the storm duration > tc, rainfall intensity will be less
than that at tc
(Peak discharge < optimal value).

•If the storm duration < tc, watershed is not fully

contributing runoff to the outlet for that storm length (i.e.
optimal value will not be realized).

•Therefore, choose storm duration = tc for peak

discharge.
Sample Problem #1:
Suppose a hydraulic design is needed to convey runoff from a small watershed with a drainage area of
0.5 square miles. On the basis of field examination and topographic maps, the length of the main channel
from the watershed outlet (the design point) to the watershed divide is 5,280 feet. Elevation of the watershed
at the outlet is 700 feet. From a topographic map, elevation along the main channel at the watershed divide is
estimated to be 750 feet. Overland flow is assumed to have an appreciable contribution to the time of
concentration for the watershed. The length of overland flow is about 500 feet and that the slope for the
overland-flow component is 2 percent (S = 0.02). The area representing overland flow is average grass
(N = 0.40). Find the time of concentration (tc).
SOLUTION
For over-land flow, use Kerby equation:

= 24.653 minutes
Solving for the slope:

For the channel tch, use the Kirpich equation:

= 31.903 minutes
For total time of concentration:
tc = tov + tch
= 24.653 + 31.903
tc = 56.556 minutes

Therefore, the time of concentration for the given

watershed is approximately 57 minutes.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Method
Sample Problem #2:
The given watershed is being urbanized. The urban condition at the outlet is needed to determine
the impact of urbanization on peak discharge. Solve for tc using the given flow path information:
SOLUTION
For sheet flow:

From table 4-6, the given n for dense grass is 0.24

For shallow concentrated flow:

1000

3600(16.13)(0.01)0.5

= 0.17 hr.
For channel flow:

= 0.99 hr.
For total time of concentration:

tC = tAB + tBC + tCD

= 0.53 + 0.17 + 0.99
tC = 1.69 hrs.

Therefore, the total time of concentration for the given

watershed is approximately 2 hours.
Sample Problem #3
Solution:
Use Kirpich Method:
𝐿3 0.385
𝑡𝑐 = 0.0078( )
𝐻
16003 0.385
= 0.0078 ( )
80
𝑡𝑐 = 7.247 min
Thus,
The best value for i is 7.0 in/hr
Determine peak flow rate if C = 0.70.
Q = ciA

= (0.70)(7in/hr)(30 acre)

Q = 147𝒊𝒏𝟑 /𝒔
Rainfall-Runoff Relation
• SCS RUNOFF CURVE NUMBER MET HOD
What is a SCS Curve Number Method?
It is a simple and efficient method for determining
amount of runoff from a rainfall event in a particular
area.
It has a single parameter called “runoff curve
number (CN)” which represents the hydrologic soil
cover complex of the watershed.
FACTORS CONSIDERED:
(Determining Runoff Curve Number)

Hydrologic Soil Groups

Cover Type and Treatment
Hydrologic Condition
Antecedent Runoff Condition
Impervious Areas
 Hydrologic Soil Groups
Soils are classified into four groups in order to indicate the minimum rate of infiltration obtained
for bare soil after prolonged wetting.
Group A
-Soils have low runoff potential and high infiltration rates even when thoroughly wetted.
Group B
-Soils have moderate infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted.
Group C
-Soils have low infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted
Group D
-Soils have high runoff potential. They have very low infiltration rates when thoroughly
wetted.
Cover Type and Treatment
Cover Type:
Vegetation (Fallow, Row, Residential, etc.)
Bare Soil
Impervious Surfaces

Treatment is the type of management of cultivated agricultural lands. It

includes mechanical practices, such as contouring and terracing, and
management practices, such as crop rotations and reduced or no tillage.
Hydrologic condition
It indicates the effects of cover type and treatment on
infiltration and runoff and is generally estimated from
density of plant and residue cover on sample areas.
Good hydrologic condition
-indicates that the soil usually has a low runoff
potential for that specific hydrologic soil group, cover
type, and treatment.
Antecedent Runoff Condition
Antecedent Runoff Condition
-It is the collective cause of the CN's variability.
Classes:
I for dry conditions
II for average conditions.
III for wetter conditions.
Impervious Areas
Connected Impervious Area
-runoff from the imprevious area flows directly into the
drainage system.

Unconnected Impervious Area

-runoff from impervious areas occurs over a pervious area as
sheet flow prior to entering the drainage system.
Formula:
Initial Abstraction is all losses before runoff begins. It includes water retained in
surface depressions, water intercepted by vegetation, evaporation, and
infiltration.

(S) Potential maximum retention after runoff begins is related to the soil and
cover conditions of the watershed through the CN.
Formula:
Tables for Urban
Areas:
CN:
Connected Impervious Area:
If all of the impervious area is directly
connected to the drainage system, but the
impervious area percentages in table 9–5 or
the pervious land use assumptions are not
applicable, use equation 9–1.
Unconnected Impervious Area:
If the total impervious area is less than 30
percent of the total area, to determine CN
when all or part of the impervious area is not
directly connected to the drainage system use
equation 9–2.
Table for Ia:
Example 1 (Single Storm):
During a storm event an average depth of 4.3 inches of rain fell over a
watershed with a land use of pasture in good condition and soils from
hydrologic soil group C.
Solution:

(4.3 - 0.2(3.51)) 2
Q
4.3  0.8(3.51)
Q  1.82 in
Example 2 (Complex):
A watershed of 630 acres has 400 acres in row crop, contoured, good rotation and 230
acres in rotation meadow, contoured, good rotation. All soils are in the Hydrologic Soil
Group B.Find the direct runoff for a rain of 5.1 inches where the watershed is in ARC II.
Refer to Table 2-2b for CN:
Solution: Mean Weighted Q

Mean Weigh ted Q :

(5.1 - 0.2(3.33)) 2 1479
Q1  Q
5.1  0.8(3.33) 630
Q1  2.53 in
Q  2.35 in
2
(5.1 - 0.2(4.49))
Q2 
5.1  0.8(4.49)
Q 2  2.03 in
Solution: Mean Weighted CN

1000
S  10 (5.1 - 0.2(3.7)) 2
CN Q1 
5.1  0.8(3.7)
1000
S  10
73 Q1  2.36 in
S  3.70
Example of Impervious Unconnected Area:
Table 9–5 gives a CN of 70 for a ½-acre lot in HSG B with an assumed impervious area
of 25 percent. The pervious area CN is 61. Find the CN to be used if the lot has 20
percent impervious area.

CN p  61 Solution:
Pimp  20
Example of Impervious Unconnected Area:
A ½-acre lot in HSG B has an assumed impervious area of 20 percent,
75 percent of which is unconnected. The pervious area CN is 61.
CN p  61 Solution:
Pimp  20
R  0.75
Refenrences:
https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/wntsc/H&H/NEHhydrology/ch9.pdf
https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/wntsc/H&H/NEHhydrology/ch10.pdf
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1044171.pdf
https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/wntsc/H&H/training/runoff-curve-numbers1.pdf