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Section7 Runoff PDF
Section7 Runoff PDF
Processes
7-2
Chow et al 1988, 1.1.1
Runoff Processes
Divide runoff processes into two sections:
1. Hillslope runoff
Migration of precipitation into the stream channel along
surface and subsurface flow paths.
2. Stream channel
Movement of water in stream channel network – this is
covered in the Open Channel Hydraulics strand of the
course.
7-3
Hillslope Runoff Processes
7-5
Dunne and Leopold
Overland Flow
When the rain rate exceeds the soil infiltration rate ponding
of water occurs. Once surface depressions have been filled,
overland flow moves downslope as an irregular sheet.
7-6
Dunne and Leopold
Hortonian Overland Flow
Hortonian overland
flow dominates the
runoff process in arid to
semi-humid catchments
where infiltration rates
are typically low.
It is also the major
runoff process in urban
catchments where
impervious areas make
up a substantial fraction
of catchment area.
7-7
Physics of Overland Flow: Kinematic Wave (1)
Idealised case: Steady rainfall with net intensity i falling on an initially
dry plane abutting catchment divide
Depth y [m]
Net rainfall rate i = r - f
Continuity Equation
i
Inflow [m3] into CV
during time dt
(q + i dx )dt
Outflow [m3] from CV ⎛ ∂q ⎞
- ⎜q + dx ⎟ dt
during time dt ⎝ ∂x ⎠
q y ⎛ ∂q ⎞ Change in storage [m3] ⎛ ∂y ⎞
⎜ q + dx ⎟ = within CV during dt dy dx = ⎜ dt ⎟ dx
⎝ ∂x ⎠ ⎝ ∂t ⎠
dx ∂y ∂q
Continuity eqn + =i
Control volume of length ∂t ∂x 7-8
dx and unit width
Physics of Overland Flow: Kinematic Wave (2)
Momentum Equation
For hydraulically steep slopes > 0.1% to 1%
can show that friction and gravity forces in x
direction are in balance and all other terms in
momentum eqn are small
Gravity
So = Sf
where So is slope of surface and Sf is friction
slope (ie slope of total energy line)
Bed resistance
This is called the kinematic wave approximation. Hence Manning equation can be
applied as
2
1 3 1
V = y So 2
n
where n is hydraulic roughness of hillslope surface and V is flow velocity.
Note that n is different to Manning n used in open channel flow. On hillslope y ~
O(1cm) while in stream y ~ O(1m)
5
1 3 1 1 1 5
q = Vy = y So 2 = αy m where α = So 2 , m = 7-9
n n 3
Kinematic Wave: An Intuitive Solution
P P
c
c
Variable Variable
depth depth
Constant Constant
Time t1 depth Time t2 > t1 depth
7-10
Kinematic Wave: An Intuitive Solution (2)
P
tc is the time concentration , the
i tc time for the variable depth region
Time tc Variable
depth to extend to stream.
7-12
Kinematic Wave Hydrographs
Discharge into stream qL
Storm duration tr < Time of concentration tc
α(itr)m
Peak flow < iL
Note peak flow persists after storm stops
tr t
Discharge into stream qL
t 7-13
tc
Saturation Overland Flow
Soil moisture profiles prior to storm. Baseflow
(BF) is only source of streamflow.
Mechanism:
• Infiltration saturates surface layers.
• If surface is on a slope, lateral flow occurs in response to
piezometric gradients.
7-16
Saturation-from-below Runoff Mechanism
7-17
Saturation-from-below Runoff Mechanism
Once perched aquifer intersects surface
SSF is at its maximum value. Therefore,
as rainfall rate increases, point P must
move upslope
7-18
Components of a Runoff Hydrograph
7-19
Dunne and
Leopold
Baseflow
7-20
Dunne and Leopold
A Simplified Baseflow Analysis
K
Using Darcy’s law the discharge into the stream (ie baseflow),
expressed as m3/s per m length of stream channel, is
∂h
BF= − Kh = − i*L = rechargerate
∂x x=0 7-21
After rainfall ceases, assume that water table profile is:
⎛ xπ ⎞
h = H + a sin ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2L ⎠
Solution of groundwater flows equations yields
⎛ xπ ⎛ t ⎞⎞
h ( x, t ) = H + a sin ⎜ exp ⎜ − ⎟ ⎟
⎝ 2L ⎝ τ ⎠⎠
4 ⎛ L Sy ⎞
2
where τ = 2 ⎜ ⎟ and T = KH
π ⎝ T ⎠
The recession hydrograph is given by Darcy’s law exponential decay
∂h Taπ ⎛ t⎞ ⎛ t⎞
BFt = T = exp ⎜ − ⎟ = BFo exp ⎜ − ⎟
∂x x =0 2 L ⎝ τ⎠ ⎝ τ⎠
⎛ BF ⎞ t
or ln ⎜ t ⎟ = −
⎝ BFo ⎠ τ
7-22
Source: Freeze and Cherry
Baseflow Recession
Qt = K Qo t
7-23
Note K is extremely variable from catchment to catchment
Maidment
Partial Area Concept
7-25
Dunne and Leopold