DISTRIBUTION GRAPH

•
The distribution graph introduced by Bernard (1935) is a variation of
unit hydrograph.
• It is basically a D-h unit hydrograph with ordinates showing the
percentage of the surface runoff occurring in successive periods of
equal time intervals of Dh.
• The duration of the rainfall excess (Dh) is taken as the unit interval and
distribution-graph ordinates indicated at successive such unit intervals.
• Fig. shows a typical distribution graph.
• Note the ordinates plotted at D-hr intervals and the area under the
distribution graph adds up to 100%.
• The use of the distribution graph to generate a DRH for a known ERH is
exactly the same that of a unit hydrograph.
• Distribution graphs are useful in comparing the runoff characteristics
of different catchments.
Problem 1.
• A catchment of 200 ha area has rainfalls of 7.5
cm, 2.0 cm and 5.0 cm in three consecutive
days. The average Φ index can be assumed to
be 2.5 cm/day. Distribution graph percentages
of the surface runoff which extended over 6
days for every rainfall of 1-day duration are 5,
15, 40, 25, 10 and 5. Determine the ordinates
of the discharge hydrograph by neglecting
base flow.
Problem 2:
• Analysis of the runoff records for a one day unit storm
over a basin yields the following data. Total stream flow
at concentration point on successive days are 19.6, 62.4,
151.3, 133.0, 89.5, 63.1, 43.5, 28.6, and 19.6 cumec.
Estimated base flow during the corresponding period on
successive days are 19.6, 22.4, 25.3, 28.0, 28.0, 27.5, 25.6,
22.5 and 19.6 cumec. Determine the distribution graph
percentages. On the same basin (area = 2850 km2) there
was rainfall of 7 cm/day on July 15 and 10 cm/day on July
18 of a certain year. Assuming an average storm loss of 2
cm/day, estimate the value of peak surface runoff in
cumec and the date of its occurrence.