Hydrograph

Factors affecting flood hydrograph

Shape of the Basin

Size
• In small catchments, the overland flow phase is predominant over the channel flow.
• On large basins the effect of intensity and land use is suppressed as the channel flow
phase is predominant.
• The peak discharge is found to vary as A^n
• The duration of surface runoff from time of occurrence of the peak is proportional to
A^m
Slope
• Large stream slopes give rise to quicker depletion of storage and hence result in
steeper recession limb of hydrograph
• Steeper slope in small catchments result in larger peak discharge.
Drainage Density
Land Use
• Vegetation cover reduces peak flow.
• This effect is pronounced in small catchments of area less than 150 sq km.
Climatic factors
The intensity, duration and direction of storm movement are three important ones
affecting the shape of hydrograph.
Base Flow Separation