1.

0 INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.0 : Shows hydrological cycle

The hydrological cycle describes the constant movement of water above, on, and below
the Earth's surface. The cycle operates across all scales, from the global to the smallest stream
catchment and involves the movement of water along evapotranspiration, precipitation, surface
runoff, subsurface flow and groundwater pathways. In essence, water is evaporated from the
land, oceans and vegetation to the atmosphere, using the radiant energy from the Sun, and is
recycled back in the form of rain or snow. When moisture from the atmosphere falls to the
Earth's surface it becomes subdivided into different interconnected pathways.
Precipitation (excluding snow and hail) wets vegetation, directly enters surface water
bodies or begins to infiltrate into the ground to replenish soil moisture. Excess water percolates
to the zone of saturation, or groundwater, from where it moves down ward and laterally to sites
of groundwater discharge. The rate of infiltration varies with land use, soil characteristics and
the duration and intensity of the rainfall event. If the rate of precipitation exceeds the rate of
infiltration this leads to overland flow. Water reaching streams, both by surface runoff and
groundwater discharge eventually moves to the sea where it is again evaporated to perpetuate
the hydrological cycle.

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Rainfall characteristics
Precipitation in arid and semi-arid zones results largely from convective cloud
mechanisms producing storms typically of short duration, relatively high intensity and limited
areal extent. However, low intensity frontal-type rains are also experienced, usually in the
winter season. When most precipitation occurs during winter, as in Jordan and in the Negev,
relatively low-intensity rainfall may represent the greater part of annual rainfall. Rainfall
intensity is defined as the ratio of the total amount of rain (rainfall depth)falling during a given
period to the duration of the period It is expressed in depth units per unit time, usually as mm
per hour (mm/h).
The statistical characteristics of high-intensity, short-duration, convective rainfall are
essentially independent of locations within a region and are similar in many parts of the world.
Analysis of short-term rainfall data suggests that there is a reasonably stable relationship
governing the intensity characteristics of this type of rainfall. Studies carried out in Saudi
Arabia (Raikes and Partners 1971) suggest that, on average, around 50 percent of all rain occurs
at intensities in excess of 20 mm/hour and 20-30 percent occurs at intensities in excess of 40
mm/hour. This relationship appears to be independent of the long-term average rainfall at a
particular location.

The surface runoff process

When rain falls, the first drops of water are intercepted by the leaves and stems of the
vegetation. This is usually referred to as interception storage. As the rain continues, 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. The infiltration capacity of the soil depends on its texture and structure, as
well as on the antecedent soil moisture content (previous rainfall or dry season). The initial
capacity (of a dry soil) is high but, as the storm continues, it decreases until it reaches a steady
value termed as final infiltration rate.
The process of runoff generation continues as long as the rainfall intensity exceeds the
actual infiltration capacity of the soil but it stops as soon as the rate of rainfall drops below the
actual rate of infiltration. The rainfall runoff process is well described in the literature.
Numerous papers on the subject have been published and many computer simulation models
have been developed. All these models, however, require detailed knowledge of a number of
factors and initial boundary conditions in a catchment area which in most cases are not readily
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available. For a better understanding of the difficulties of accurately predicting the amount of
runoff resulting from a rainfall event, the major factors which influence the rainfall-runoff
process are described below

2.0 OBJECTIVE
1. To identify the relationship between rainfall and runoff.

3.0 THEORY

Runoff is generated by rainstorms and its occurrence and quality are dependent on the
characteristics of the rainfall event, i.e. intensity, duration and distribution. The rainfall-runoff
process is extremely complex, making it difficult to model accurately. There are, in addition,
other important factors which influence the runoff generating process like natural surface
detention, soil infiltration characteristics and the drainage pattern formed by natural flow paths.
The soil type, vegetative cover and topography play as important roles. Rainfall and runoff are
very important hydrologic components because if their direct relations with water resources
quality, flood, streamflow and design of dam and hydraulic structure.

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4.0 APPARATUS

Figure 4.1 : Shows basic hydrology instrument

Figure 4.2 : Basic Hydrological Instrument

Figure 4.3 : Stopwatch Figure 4.4 : Rain gauge

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5.0 PROCEDURE

Case 1 : flat and sandy soil surface profile (without slope).

Case 2 : flat and sandy soil surface with 1:100 slope profile.

1. The rail ate side of the catchment area was adjusted to get the slope zero.
2. The pump had been switched on and the stop watch also started.
3. The reading of the discharge and the rain gauge was recorded every 30 seconds.
4. The pump was switched off after three discharge reading with the same value was
obtained (peak discharge)
5. The time while stop the rainfall has been recorded.
6. At the same time, the discharge for each 30 seconds until the reading reached 0.5 m³/s.
7. Step 1 to step 6 was repeated by the rail at the side of the catchment area was adjusted
to 1.6mm.

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6.0 RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS
Table result :-
Case 2
Time, t Rain Gauge
(s) Water level Discharge Discharge
Reading
(mm) (liter/min) (m³/s)
(mm)
30 0 0.0 0 9
60 0 0.0 0 14
90 5 0.2 0.00000333 38
120 25 7.5 0.000125 51
150 33 15.5 0.000258 64
180 33 15.5 0.000258 77
210 33 15.5 0.000258 90
240 33 15.5 0.000258 104
270 33 15.5 0.000258 116
300 33 15.5 0.000258
330 28 11.5 0.000192
360 20 5.0 0.0000833
390 16 2.8 0.0000467
420 13 1.5 0.000025
450 10 0.9 0.000015
480 9 0.7 0.000012
510 8 0.5 0.0000083
540 7 0.4 0.0000067
570 7 0.4 0.0000067
600 7 0.4 0.0000067
630 6 0.2 0.0000033

Table 6.1 : shows the water level, the discharge and rain gauge reading

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 Case 2

Direct flow
Time, t Total flow, Q Base flow (m³/s) (Total
flow – Base
flow)
(m³/s) (m³/s)
30 0 0 0
60 0 0 0
90 0.00000333 0.0000022 0.00000113
120 0.000125 0.000013 0.000112
150 0.000258 0.000015 0.000243
180 0.000258 0.00002 0.000238
210 0.000258 0.000025 0.000233
240 0.000258 0.000035 0.000223
270 0.000258
300 0.000258
330 0.000192
360 0.0000833
390 0.0000467
420 0.000025
450 0.000015
480 0.000012
510 0.0000083
540 0.0000067
570 0.0000067
600 0.0000067
630 0.0000033
Total 0.00208203 0.0001102 0.00105013
Table 6. 2 : shows the total flow, base flow and direct flow.

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 The discharge (unit m³/s) versus time (second)
0.0003

0.00025

0.0002

0.00015

0.0001

0.00005

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
-0.00005

Graph 6.1 : the discharge (unit m³/s) versus time (second) graph

QUESTION

1. Plot the discharge (unit m³/s) versus time (second) graph separately from the above values
2. From the graph plotted, determine :-
a) Time concentration,
Case 2: 150 < tc < 270

b) Rainfall duration,
Case 2: rainfall duration is 180 seconds

c) Peak discharge,
Case 2: when 180 seconds discharge will be 0.000258m3/s

d) Runoff volume,
Runoff volume = Total Direct Flow
Case 2 : DF= 0.00208203 m3/s x 3600s = 7.4753 m3

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 e) Rainfall intensity,
Case 2:
Rainfall intensity = rain gauge maximum / rain duration
= 116 mm / 180 s
= 0.64 mm/s

f) Storage volume
Storage volume = Base flow x 3600s
Case 2: storage volume = 0.0001102 m3/s x 3600s
= 0.39672 m3/s

3. Provide a table for all the results obtained from (2).

Case 2
Time concentration 150 < tc < 270
Rainfall duration 180
Peak discharge 0.000258
Runoff volume 7.4753
Rainfall intensity 0.64
Storage volume 0.39672
Table 6.3 : All data for Case 2

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7.0 DISCUSSION

As conclusion of this experiment, we fully understand how to identify the relationship

between rainfall and runoff and it process. Besides that, we also can verify that when the rainfall
increased, the runoff will also increase until it reached the time of maximum discharge. Using
the rain gauge, we can record the discharge and it’s time for each catchment area. From this
experiment, we can apply this knowledge to design the dam or drain.The applications of the
basic hydrology system were very important to control the flood. Besides that, we can also use
this application to avoid the high cost for construction the dam or drain. Then, we also have
determined all factors that affected runoff such as rainfall intensity, type of surfaces, rainfall
duration, and others.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

As conclusion of this experiment, we fully understand how to identify the relationship

between rainfall and runoff and it process. Besides that, we also can verify that when the rainfall
increased, the runoff will also increase until it reached the time of maximum discharge. Using
the rain gauge, we can record the discharge and it’s time for each catchment area. From this
experiment, we can apply this knowledge to design the dam or drain.The applications of the
basic hydrology system were very important to control the flood. Besides that, we can also use
this application to avoid the high cost for construction the dam or drain. Then, we also have
determined all factors that effected runoff such as rainfall intensity, type of surfaces, rainfall
duration, and others.

9.0 REFERENCE
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrology
2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/174047240/BASIC-HYDROLOGY-INFILTRATION-
TEST#scribd

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