________________________________ ____________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
KS650.280 National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration ATLAS
14 (NOAA ATLAS 14) Procedure
(a) General
This section describes the use of rainfall data in
NOAA ATLAS 14 and rainfall distributions based
on the NOAA ATLAS 14 data. These rainfall data
and rainfall distributions replace the rainfall data
from Weather Bureau Technical Paper 40 (TP-40)
and the standard Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) rainfall distribution Type II.
Three computer tools are readily available to
estimate runoff and peak discharge:
(1) The EFH2 Computer Program, Estimating
Runoff and Peak Discharge, User’s Manual was
transmitted by User’s Guide 210-15-4, and
contains information, guidance, and examples
concerning runoff curve number, average
watershed slope, watershed length, input/output
operations, and limitations. Database files with
NOAA ATLAS 14 rainfall depths and rainfall
distributions are available from the Kansas
NRCS State Conservation Engineer.
(2) WinTR-55, Small Watershed Hydrology
Computer Program, was transmitted by User’s
Guide 210-13-2. This model applies to both
urban and agricultural areas generating
hydrographs from land areas and at selected
points along the stream system. Multiple
subareas can be modeled within a watershed.
Database files with NOAA ATLAS 14 rainfall
depths and rainfall distributions are available
from the Kansas NRCS State Conservation
Engineer.
(3) The KS-ENG-137b, Hydrologic Summary,
Excel spreadsheet is available on the forms page
of the Kansas NRCS Web site. This tool
contains Kansas specific runoff curve numbers
used for non-irrigated conservation practices
(except dams), based on the antecedent runoff
condition. See Section KS650.281 of this
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
__________________________________________________
National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
supplement for further information on the
applicable antecedent runoff conditions and
associated runoff curve numbers.
This section includes information related to rainfall
data and rainfall distributions for use with these
computer tools in Kansas. Additional technical
information is available from the NOAA ATLAS 14
Web site (https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/) and
NRCS technical directives such as National
Engineering Handbook Part 630 (NEH 630),
Hydrology, Chapter 4, “Storm Rainfall Depth”.
(b) Rainfall data
NOAA completed Volume 8 of ATLAS 14
precipitation frequency analysis in 2013. This is
the first comprehensive precipitation frequency
analysis for the Midwest and neighboring states
since TP-40 was completed in 1961. Data is
available for specific locations from an interactive
Web site (https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/).
Alternatively, data for representative locations in
Kansas counties are included in a rainfall database
named “county.ks” that is provided with the EFH2
computer program. Table KS2-1 contains the
rainfall in the database plus mean annual rainfall
for each Kansas county.
(c) Rainfall values
NOAA used periods of record for rainfall stations
through October 2011 to compute precipitation
duration frequency values. The period of record
for TP-40 ended in 1958. This additional 53 years
of data gives different frequency duration rainfall
values than TP-40. These values were updated in
2013 for Kansas.
The preferred method to determine a project’s
design rainfall depth is to use site specific NOAA
ATLAS 14 rainfall values as follows:
(1) In a Web browser, navigate to the NOAA
ATLAS 14 Web site:
https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/
(2) Click on Kansas in the national map.
KS650-2.1
________________________________ ____________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
(3) In the map, navigate to drag the red cross hair
icon to the project site location. Other options
for selecting a location are to enter a latitude
and longitude (for example, from a Global
Positioning System [GPS] unit, or from
ArcMap software) or select a rainfall station
from a drop-down list. Selecting the structure
location is recommended, but the centroid of
the structure’s drainage area may also be
appropriate in some cases.
(4) Scroll down below the map for a table of
precipitation frequency data for the selected
location.
(5) Scroll to the bottom of the screen for an option
to save the data in a comma-separated variable
(csv) format.
(6) Replace the default rainfall values on the
Rainfall/Discharge data tab in the EFH2
computer program with the 24-hour duration
NOAA values from the table. Similarly, in the
Hydrology Summary spreadsheet, the default
values may be replaced using the site specific
rainfall option.
The alternative method to determine a project’s
design rainfall depth is to use representative
county values that have been developed from the
NOAA ATLAS 14 study. These are the default
values seen in the computer tools with the default
rainfall database (county.ks) loaded.
The county rainfall data for Kansas was selected at
the location of the average 100-year, 24-hour
storm. The county data are good representative
values when using a model with the precision of
these computer tools, but they are not the
maximum, average, or minimum amount of
rainfall found in any county. If a more precise
rainfall estimate is desired, site specific data may
be obtained as described above.
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
__________________________________________________
National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
(d) Rainfall distribution
Ideally, site specific rainfall distributions would be
used to convert the runoff volume from the curve
number calculations to a hydrograph. However,
the available computer tools cannot use that type
of input. Instead, the computer tools use equations
to relate unit peak discharge (cubic feet per second
per inch of runoff depth per square mile of
drainage area) to time of concentration in hours.
The coefficients for these equations were
developed from additional WinTR-20 modeling by
NRCS for 6 new rainfall distributions from the
NOAA ATLAS 14 data.
Five of these 6 new rainfall distributions are found
in Kansas, and Figure KS2-1 shows which
distribution is applicable in each county. Unit
peak discharge plots for the 5 rainfall distribution
zones are displayed in Figures KS2-2 through
KS2-6, and the equation coefficients are provided
in Tables KS2-2 through KS2-6. Plots of the 5
rainfall distributions used to develop the
coefficients are displayed in Figure KS2-7.
These new rainfall distributions replace the NRCS
Type II distribution for Kansas. Type II should no
longer be used except to recreate old models if
necessary for comparison.
KS650-2.2
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-1 Map showing designated rainfall distribution zones for Kansas counties

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.3
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-1 Rainfall values and distribution zones for Kansas counties

24-Hour Rainfall by Storm Frequency (inches) Mean

Rainfall Annual
Distribution Rainfall
County Zone 2-year 5-year 10-year 25-year 50-year 100-year (inches)
Allen 5 3.76 4.72 5.58 6.87 7.94 9.09 37.3
Anderson 4 3.69 4.63 5.45 6.65 7.63 8.66 41.7
Atchison 4 3.45 4.34 5.13 6.26 7.18 8.15 36.2
Barber 3 3.12 3.92 4.62 5.64 6.47 7.34 25.2
Barton 3 2.89 3.60 4.25 5.21 6.02 6.88 25.9
Bourbon 5 3.76 4.69 5.54 6.80 7.85 8.96 40.1
Brown 3 3.37 4.20 4.96 6.10 7.06 8.09 37.0
Butler 4 3.59 4.51 5.34 6.56 7.58 8.65 34.4
Chase 4 3.55 4.46 5.23 6.34 7.22 8.13 34.0
Chautauqua 5 3.87 4.91 5.85 7.26 8.43 9.68 36.9
Cherokee 5 3.96 4.93 5.79 7.06 8.11 9.21 40.5
Cheyenne 1 2.30 2.88 3.39 4.14 4.76 5.41 18.4
Clark 1 2.74 3.41 4.00 4.85 5.54 6.27 22.3
Clay 3 3.24 4.06 4.78 5.82 6.66 7.54 31.9
Cloud 3 3.01 3.75 4.43 5.44 6.29 7.20 27.6
Coffey 4 3.70 4.65 5.48 6.69 7.68 8.71 39.0
Comanche 3 2.96 3.69 4.33 5.25 6.00 6.77 24.2
Cowley 4 3.67 4.57 5.41 6.68 7.77 8.94 33.4
Crawford 5 3.90 4.87 5.74 7.07 8.18 9.37 39.8
Decatur 2 2.59 3.21 3.74 4.50 5.10 5.71 21.8
Dickinson 3 3.32 4.15 4.87 5.93 6.80 7.71 31.8
Doniphan 3 3.40 4.25 5.01 6.15 7.08 8.08 35.2
Douglas 4 3.52 4.41 5.17 6.27 7.15 8.06 37.3
Edwards 2 2.79 3.48 4.11 5.04 5.81 6.64 23.0
Elk 5 3.73 4.70 5.60 6.99 8.18 9.47 36.1
Ellis 3 2.69 3.35 3.94 4.81 5.53 6.28 23.3
Ellsworth 3 2.99 3.75 4.42 5.42 6.25 7.13 27.1
Finney 2 2.40 3.02 3.55 4.33 4.96 5.62 18.9
Ford 1 2.64 3.27 3.83 4.66 5.33 6.03 21.7
Franklin 4 3.58 4.49 5.27 6.40 7.30 8.25 40.2
Geary 3 3.43 4.26 4.98 6.04 6.89 7.79 34.5
Gove 2 2.55 3.22 3.80 4.65 5.34 6.06 21.9
Graham 3 2.60 3.27 3.86 4.74 5.46 6.22 23.8
Grant 3 2.33 2.98 3.56 4.42 5.14 5.91 17.9
Gray 1 2.57 3.19 3.73 4.52 5.15 5.81 22.5
Greeley 3 2.25 2.89 3.47 4.33 5.06 5.84 17.0
Greenwood 4 3.62 4.55 5.39 6.68 7.78 8.95 37.0
Hamilton 3 2.31 2.97 3.59 4.52 5.31 6.15 16.9
Harper 4 3.35 4.18 4.92 6.01 6.90 7.83 27.6

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.4
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

24-Hour Rainfall by Storm Frequency (inches) Mean

Rainfall Annual
Distribution Rainfall
County Zone 2-year 5-year 10-year 25-year 50-year 100-year (inches)
Harvey 4 3.36 4.22 4.97 6.03 6.89 7.78 31.9
Haskell 2 2.44 3.07 3.63 4.44 5.10 5.79 19.5
Hodgeman 2 2.58 3.20 3.76 4.58 5.25 5.97 21.5
Jackson 4 3.40 4.26 5.01 6.12 7.02 7.97 35.3
Jefferson 4 3.52 4.42 5.19 6.31 7.21 8.14 36.4
Jewell 3 2.85 3.55 4.18 5.13 5.93 6.78 26.3
Johnson 4 3.64 4.60 5.44 6.64 7.60 8.61 38.3
Kearny 2 2.37 3.01 3.58 4.42 5.12 5.85 17.4
Kingman 4 3.23 4.03 4.73 5.75 6.58 7.45 27.8
Kiowa 2 2.85 3.55 4.17 5.08 5.84 6.64 22.6
Labette 5 4.00 5.03 5.93 7.25 8.34 9.48 40.8
Lane 2 2.50 3.12 3.67 4.47 5.12 5.80 20.7
Leavenworth 4 3.53 4.45 5.25 6.41 7.34 8.30 37.5
Lincoln 3 2.92 3.65 4.32 5.30 6.11 6.98 26.8
Linn 4 3.64 4.52 5.31 6.49 7.46 8.50 41.5
Logan 2 2.38 3.00 3.54 4.34 5.00 5.69 19.3
Lyon 4 3.59 4.50 5.29 6.43 7.34 8.30 36.7
Marion 4 3.42 4.29 5.04 6.12 6.99 7.88 32.4
Marshall 3 3.24 4.01 4.70 5.72 6.55 7.43 30.9
McPherson 4 3.20 3.98 4.67 5.68 6.50 7.37 29.0
Meade 1 2.60 3.22 3.78 4.61 5.30 6.03 20.6
Miami 4 3.62 4.55 5.37 6.55 7.51 8.52 40.7
Mitchell 3 2.89 3.59 4.23 5.16 5.93 6.75 26.4
Montgomery 5 3.92 4.93 5.84 7.20 8.32 9.52 37.0
Morris 4 3.51 4.37 5.10 6.15 7.00 7.87 34.1
Morton 3 2.37 3.02 3.61 4.51 5.27 6.09 17.3
Nemaha 3 3.29 4.11 4.84 5.94 6.86 7.85 34.5
Neosho 5 3.87 4.85 5.75 7.11 8.25 9.48 39.8
Ness 2 2.56 3.17 3.72 4.53 5.21 5.92 21.4
Norton 3 2.65 3.31 3.88 4.71 5.38 6.07 22.3
Osage 4 3.52 4.41 5.18 6.30 7.21 8.16 36.9
Osborne 3 2.82 3.51 4.12 4.98 5.67 6.38 25.0
Ottawa 3 3.09 3.85 4.54 5.57 6.42 7.33 28.8
Pawnee 2 2.77 3.45 4.07 5.02 5.81 6.67 23.3
Phillips 3 2.69 3.35 3.95 4.85 5.60 6.41 23.6
Pottawatomie 3 3.35 4.16 4.88 5.91 6.75 7.63 33.6
Pratt 3 2.98 3.76 4.44 5.43 6.24 7.09 24.6
Rawlins 2 2.46 3.07 3.59 4.33 4.93 5.54 21.0
Reno 4 3.19 4.00 4.69 5.69 6.50 7.32 27.7
Republic 3 2.99 3.77 4.47 5.52 6.39 7.32 28.6
Rice 3 3.04 3.79 4.45 5.43 6.24 7.08 26.6
Riley 3 3.33 4.16 4.89 5.94 6.79 7.67 33.5

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.5
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

24-Hour Rainfall by Storm Frequency (inches) Mean

Rainfall Annual
Distribution Rainfall
County Zone 2-year 5-year 10-year 25-year 50-year 100-year (inches)
Rooks 3 2.71 3.40 4.01 4.89 5.60 6.35 23.9
Rush 2 2.70 3.35 3.93 4.82 5.56 6.36 23.3
Russell 3 2.89 3.61 4.25 5.16 5.91 6.68 26.8
Saline 3 3.14 3.90 4.58 5.61 6.45 7.35 28.4
Scott 2 2.48 3.12 3.68 4.48 5.13 5.81 20.2
Sedgwick 4 3.38 4.24 4.98 6.05 6.92 7.83 30.6
Seward 2 2.52 3.15 3.72 4.57 5.27 6.01 19.8
Shawnee 4 3.47 4.33 5.07 6.13 6.98 7.86 34.7
Sheridan 2 2.53 3.17 3.73 4.55 5.21 5.91 21.3
Sherman 1 2.31 2.88 3.39 4.12 4.72 5.35 16.7
Smith 3 2.71 3.36 3.96 4.88 5.64 6.47 24.4
Stafford 3 2.90 3.63 4.28 5.25 6.06 6.92 25.1
Stanton 3 2.31 2.96 3.57 4.50 5.29 6.15 15.8
Stevens 2 2.41 3.04 3.61 4.46 5.17 5.93 19.7
Sumner 4 3.47 4.31 5.06 6.17 7.10 8.08 34.0
Thomas 1 2.44 3.04 3.56 4.30 4.90 5.53 19.0
Trego 3 2.58 3.23 3.81 4.66 5.36 6.10 22.2
Wabaunsee 4 3.48 4.35 5.09 6.14 6.98 7.83 35.5
Wallace 2 2.33 2.95 3.50 4.29 4.93 5.61 18.2
Washington 3 3.14 3.93 4.63 5.65 6.49 7.38 30.1
Wichita 2 2.35 3.00 3.57 4.42 5.11 5.84 18.6
Wilson 5 3.76 4.70 5.58 6.94 8.11 9.38 36.0
Woodson 5 3.75 4.73 5.62 6.94 8.05 9.22 37.3
Wyandotte 4 3.62 4.57 5.41 6.62 7.60 8.62 38.1

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.6
________________________________ ____________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
(e) Peak discharge equations
Since the available computer tools cannot use
actual rainfall distributions, an alternative method
of estimating peak discharges was developed. The
method relies on a unit peak discharge equation
with coefficients that are specific to each new
rainfall distribution zone.
(1) Extents of rainfall types
Six rainfall types (MW_SE_1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)
were developed from the NOAA ATLAS 14 data
to replace the NRCS Type II rainfall distribution.
These 6 rainfall types were developed for the
NOAA ATLAS 14 Volume 8 region, which
includes 17 states in the Midwest and the
Southeast. The extent of each region was based on
the 60-minute/24-hour ratio of the 25-year NOAA
ATLAS 14 data. The ranges of this ratio for the 6
zones are as follows:
1 ratio > 0.58
2 0.53 < ratio < 0.58
3 0.48 < ratio < 0.53
4 0.43 < ratio < 0.48
5 0.38 < ratio < 0.43
6 ratio < 0.38
(2) Peak discharge equation coefficients
Rainfall distributions were created for each zone
and used in WinTR-20 models to develop peak
discharge equation coefficients for use in the
computer tools. To simplify the estimation of
peak discharge, WinTR-20 was run for times of
concentration of 0.1 to 10.0 hours and Ia/P ratios
of 0.1, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5. Ia is the initial
abstraction, and P is the storm rainfall in inches.
Ia = 0.2 x [(1000 / CN) – 10] Eq. KS2-1
where:
Ia = initial abstraction (inches) which includes
all losses before runoff begins
(interception, depression storage, early
storm infiltration, etc.)
CN = NRCS runoff curve number
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
__________________________________________________
National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
For example, with CN = 76 and P = 4.59 (10-year
storm):
Ia = 0.2 x [(1000 / 76) – 10] = 0.632
Ia/P = 0.632 / 4.59 = 0.14
Equations to relate time of concentration to unit
peak discharge were then developed. The equation
used to compute the unit peak discharge (qu) is:
qu = 10^[Coeff_1 + Coeff_2 x LOG(Tc) +
Coeff_3 x (LOG(Tc))^2] Eq. KS2-2
where:
qu = unit peak discharge (cfs per inch of
runoff per square mile of drainage area)
Tc = time of concentration (hours)
Coeff_# = peak discharge coefficients
The coefficients to be used with each rainfall
distribution are displayed in Tables KS2-2 through
KS2-6. For example, the equation applicable to the
Zone 3 rainfall distribution region of Kansas and Ia/P
ratio of 0.14 is:
qu = 10^[2.5747 - 0.6469 x LOG(Tc) - 0.1307 x
(LOG(Tc))^2]
The equation to compute peak discharge is:
Qp = qu x Q x A Eq. KS2-3
where:
Qp = peak discharge (cubic feet per second
[cfs])
qu = unit peak discharge (cfs per inch of
runoff per square mile of drainage area)
Q = runoff (inches)
A = drainage area (square miles)
For the time of concentration of 0.72 hour and
Ia/P ratio of 0.14, the unit peak discharge is
q = 462.0 cfs/inch/square mile. If the runoff is
2.2 inches, and the drainage area is 100 acres
(0.156 square mile), then the peak discharge is:
Qp = 462.0 x 2.2 x 0.156 = 159 cfs
KS650-2.7
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-2 EFH2 peak discharge for Zone 1

1800

MW_SE Zone 1
1600

Ia/P = 0.1
Unit Peak Discharge (cfs / inch / square mile)

1400
Ia/P = 0.25
1200
Ia/P = 0.3
1000
Ia/P = 0.4

800
Ia/P = 0.5

600

400

200

0
0.1 1 10
Time of Concentration (hours)

Table KS2-2 EFH2 peak discharge equation coefficients for Zone 1

Note: 1) use linear interpolation for intermediate values of Ia/P
2) if Ia/P < 0.10, use Ia/P = 0.10
3) if Ia/P > 0.50, use Ia/P = 0.50

Ia/P Coeff_1 Coeff_2 Coeff_3

0.1 2.6590 -0.6865 -0.1462
0.25 2.6216 -0.6927 -0.1163
0.3 2.6003 -0.6851 -0.1054
0.4 2.5473 -0.6493 -0.0947
0.5 2.4752 -0.5682 -0.1190

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.8
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-3 EFH2 peak discharge for Zone 2

1600

MW_SE Zone 2
1400 Ia/P = 0.1
Unit Peak Discharge (cfs / inch / square mile)

1200 Ia/P = 0.2

Ia/P = 0.3
1000
Ia/P =0.4

800
Ia/P = 0.5

600

400

200

0
0.1 1 10
Time of Concentration (hours)

Table KS2-3 EFH2 peak discharge equation coefficients for Zone 2

Note: 1) use linear interpolation for intermediate values of Ia/P
2) if Ia/P < 0.10, use Ia/P = 0.10
3) if Ia/P > 0.50, use Ia/P = 0.50

Ia/P Coeff_1 Coeff_2 Coeff_3

0.1 2.6225 -0.6682 -0.1405
0.25 2.5824 -0.6762 -0.1122
0.3 2.5576 -0.6686 -0.0996
0.4 2.4940 -0.6294 -0.0829
0.5 2.4061 -0.5355 -0.1060

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.9
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-4 EFH2 peak discharge for Zone 3

1400

MW_SE Zone 3
1200 Ia/P = 0.1
Unit Peak Discharge (cfs / inch / square mile)

Ia/P = 0.2
1000
Ia/P = 0.3

800 Ia/P = 0.4

Ia/P = 0.5
600

400

200

0
0.1 1 10
Time of Concentration (hours)

Table KS2-4 EFH2 peak discharge equation coefficients for Zone 3

Note: 1) use linear interpolation for intermediate values of Ia/P
2) if Ia/P < 0.10, use Ia/P = 0.10
3) if Ia/P > 0.50, use Ia/P = 0.50

Ia/P Coeff_1 Coeff_2 Coeff_3

0.1 2.5859 -0.6447 -0.1381
0.25 2.5440 -0.6528 -0.1105
0.3 2.5172 -0.6453 -0.0982
0.4 2.4454 -0.6035 -0.0776
0.5 2.3440 -0.4950 -0.1025

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.10
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-5 EFH2 peak discharge for Zone 4

1200

MW_SE Zone 4
Ia/P = 0.1
1000
Unit Peak Discharge (cfs / inch / square mile)

Ia/P = 0.2

800 Ia/P = 0.3

Ia/P = 0.4

600
Ia/P = 0.5

400

200

0
0.1 1 10
Time of Concentration (hours)

Table KS2-5 EFH2 peak discharge equation coefficients for Zone 4

Note: 1) use linear interpolation for intermediate values of Ia/P
2) if Ia/P < 0.10, use Ia/P = 0.10
3) if Ia/P > 0.50, use Ia/P = 0.50

Ia/P Coeff_1 Coeff_2 Coeff_3

0.1 2.5447 -0.6222 -0.1332
0.25 2.5016 -0.6298 -0.1071
0.3 2.4730 -0.6226 -0.0947
0.4 2.3917 -0.5773 -0.0694
0.5 2.2743 -0.4524 -0.0948

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.11
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-6 EFH2 peak discharge for Zone 5

1000
MW_SE Zone 5
900
Ia/P = 0.1
800
Unit Peak Discharge (cfs / inch / square mile)

Ia/P = 0.2
700
Ia/P = 0.3
600
Ia/P = 0.4

500
Ia/P = 0.5

400

300

200

100

0
0.1 1 10
Time of Concentration (hours)

Table KS2-6 EFH2 peak discharge equation coefficients for Zone 5

Note: 1) use linear interpolation for intermediate values of Ia/P
2) if Ia/P < 0.10, use Ia/P = 0.10
3) if Ia/P > 0.50, use Ia/P = 0.50

Ia/P Coeff_1 Coeff_2 Coeff_3

0.1 2.4922 -0.5871 -0.1300
0.25 2.4485 -0.5944 -0.1073
0.3 2.4176 -0.5866 -0.0930
0.4 2.3275 -0.5372 -0.0647
0.5 2.1929 -0.3911 -0.0933

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.12
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-7 Plots of rainfall distributions in the Midwest and the Southeast states

Note: The following plots apply to the NRCS 24-hour design storms. They represent the accumulated
rainfall during the 24-hour storm duration on a non-dimensional basis. The maximum accumulated rainfall in
the plot is 1.0 which represents the total 24-hour rainfall.

1
24-Hour Rainfall Distribution
0.9
Ratio of Accumulated Rainfall to Total Rainfall

0.8

0.7 MW_SE_1_sm

0.6 MW_SE_2_sm

0.5 MW_SE_3_sm

0.4 MW_SE_4_sm

0.3 MW_SE_5_sm

0.2 Type II

0.1 Atlas 14 - Fig

A.5.1.c 50%
0
0 6 12 18 24
Time (hours)

These rainfall distributions (except NOAA ATLAS 14) are represented in WinTR-20 in tabular format at a
time interval of 0.1 hour.

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.13
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

KS650.281 Kansas Data for Estimating Runoff and Peak Discharge

Figure KS2-8 and Tables KS2-7 through KS2-11 can be used as aids to determine the appropriate runoff
curve number to use in the equations in Chapter 2.
Figure KS2-8 Antecedent runoff conditions (ARC) used in Kansas for non-irrigated conservation practices
(except dams). Note: For all dams, use ARC II condition curve numbers.

Legend

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.14
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-7 Runoff curve numbers–ARC II

For use on all earth dams and irrigated land in Kansas, and on all conservation practices in the following counties:
Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley,
Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Ellsworth, Franklin, Geary, Greenwood, Harvey, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell,
Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery,
Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sumner, Wabaunsee,
Washington, Wilson, Woodson, and Wyandotte.
The runoff curve numbers in this table may be used for all rainfall frequencies.

Land Use and Treatment Hydrologic Soil Group

1 2
and/or Practice or Hydrologic Condition A B C D

Fallow - Crop Residue Cover 75 84 89 92

Fallow - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 70 79 85 88

3
Row Crops - Straight Row 69 78 85 88
3
Row Crop - Contoured 67 77 82 86
Row Crop - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 64 72 78 81

3
Small Grain - Straight Row 63 74 82 85
3
Small Grain - Contoured 61 73 81 84
Small Grain - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 59 70 78 81

4 5
Cultivated - Storage-Type Terraces 50 60 67 70

Pasture or Range 6 - poor 68 79 86 89

Pasture or Range 6 - fair 50 69 79 84
6
Pasture or Range - good 50 61 74 80

Woods - poor 50 66 77 83
Woods - fair 50 60 73 79

7
Miscellaneous 72 82 87 89

1
Use estimated long-term land use condition
2
Hydrologic condition for cultivated agricultural lands (including fallow) is based on
the effectiveness of the ground cover being between a poor and good condition.
3
Use for designing individual gradient, open-end, storage, and underground outlet terraces
4
Includes flat pothole areas and other areas with significant storage
5
Use for designing structures downstream of underground outlet and storage type terraces
6
Includes meadow
7
Includes roads, farmsteads, urban, etc. (about 3% for most rural areas)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.15
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-8 Runoff curve numbers–ARC I + 0.8(II - I)

For use on non-irrigated drainage areas, except in the design of complex practices in the following counties: Barton,
Ellis, Harper, Kingman, Osborne, Phillips, Reno, Rice, Rooks, Russell, and Smith.

Land Use and Treatment Hydrologic Soil Group

and/or Practice 1 or Hydrologic Condition 2 A B C D

Fallow - Crop Residue Cover 71 81 86 90

Fallow - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 66 76 82 85

Row Crops - Straight Row 3 65 74 82 85

Row Crop - Contoured 3 63 73 79 83
Row Crop - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 60 68 74 78

3
Small Grain - Straight Row 59 70 79 82
3
Small Grain - Contoured 57 69 78 81
Small Grain - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 55 66 74 78

Cultivated - Storage-Type Terraces 4 5 50 56 63 66

Pasture or Range 6 - poor 64 76 83 86

Pasture or Range 6 - fair 50 65 76 81
Pasture or Range 6 - good 50 57 70 77

Woods - poor 50 62 73 80
Woods - fair 50 56 69 76

Miscellaneous 7 68 79 84 86

1
Use estimated long-term land use condition
2
Hydrologic condition for cultivated agricultural lands (including fallow) is based on
the effectiveness of the ground cover being between a poor and good condition.
3
Use for designing individual gradient, open-end, storage, and underground outlet terraces
4
Includes flat pothole areas and other areas with significant storage
5
Use for designing structures downstream of underground outlet and storage type terraces
6
Includes meadow
7
Includes roads, farmsteads, urban, etc. (about 3% for most rural areas)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.16
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-9 Runoff curve numbers–ARC I + 0.6(II - I)

For use on non-irrigated drainage areas, except in the design of complex practices in the following counties: Barber,
Comanche, Decatur, Edwards, Gove, Graham, Kiowa, Ness, Norton, Pawnee, Pratt, Rawlins, Rush, Sheridan, Stafford,
Thomas, and Trego.

Land Use and Treatment Hydrologic Soil Group

1 2
and/or Practice or Hydrologic Condition A B C D

Fallow - Crop Residue Cover 68 78 84 88

Fallow - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 62 72 79 83

Row Crops - Straight Row 3 61 71 79 83

3
Row Crop - Contoured 59 70 76 80
Row Crop - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 56 64 71 74

Small Grain - Straight Row 3 55 66 76 80

3
Small Grain - Contoured 53 65 74 78
Small Grain - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 51 62 71 74

4 5
Cultivated - Storage-Type Terraces 50 52 59 62

Pasture or Range 6 - poor 60 72 80 84

6
Pasture or Range - fair 50 61 72 78
6
Pasture or Range - good 50 53 66 73

Woods - poor 50 58 70 77
Woods - fair 50 52 65 72

7
Miscellaneous 64 76 81 84

1
Use estimated long-term land use condition
2
Hydrologic condition for cultivated agricultural lands (including fallow) is based on
the effectiveness of the ground cover being between a poor and good condition.
3
Use for designing individual gradient, open-end, storage, and underground outlet terraces
4
Includes flat pothole areas and other areas with significant storage
5
Use for designing structures downstream of underground outlet and storage type terraces
6
Includes meadow
7
Includes roads, farmsteads, urban, etc. (about 3% for most rural areas)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.17
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-10 Runoff curve numbers–ARC I + 0.4(II - I)

For use on non-irrigated drainage areas, except in the design of complex practices in the following counties: Cheyenne,
Clark, Finney, Ford, Gray, Hodgeman, Lane, Logan, Meade, Scott, Sherman, Wallace, and Wichita.

Land Use and Treatment Hydrologic Soil Group

and/or Practice 1 or Hydrologic Condition 2 A B C D

Fallow - Crop Residue Cover 64 74 81 85

Fallow - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 59 69 76 80

Row Crops - Straight Row 3 58 67 76 80

Row Crop - Contoured 3 55 66 72 78
Row Crop - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 52 61 67 71

Small Grain - Straight Row 3 51 63 72 76

Small Grain - Contoured 3 50 62 71 74
Small Grain - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 50 59 67 71

Cultivated - Storage-Type Terraces 4 5

50 50 55 59

Pasture or Range 6 - poor 56 69 78 81

Pasture or Range 6 - fair 50 58 69 74
Pasture or Range 6 - good 50 50 63 70

Woods - poor 50 54 66 73
Woods - fair 50 50 62 69

7
Miscellaneous 61 72 79 81

1
Use estimated long-term land use condition
2
Hydrologic condition for cultivated agricultural lands (including fallow) is based on
the effectiveness of the ground cover being between a poor and good condition.
3
Use for designing individual gradient, open-end, storage, and underground outlet terraces
4
Includes flat pothole areas and other areas with significant storage
5
Use for designing structures downstream of underground outlet and storage type terraces
6
Includes meadow
7
Includes roads, farmsteads, urban, etc. (about 3% for most rural areas)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.18
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Table KS2-11 Runoff curve numbers–ARC I + 0.2(II - I)

For use on non-irrigated drainage areas, except in the design of complex practices in the following counties: Grant,
Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Kearny, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens.

Land Use and Treatment Hydrologic Soil Group

and/or Practice 1 or Hydrologic Condition 2 A B C D

Fallow - Crop Residue Cover 61 71 79 83

Fallow - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 55 65 73 78

Row Crops - Straight Row 3 54 64 73 78

3
Row Crop - Contoured 51 63 69 75
Row Crop - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 50 57 64 67

Small Grain - Straight Row 3 50 59 69 73

Small Grain - Contoured 3 50 58 67 71
Small Grain - Contoured and Gradient Terraces 50 55 64 67

Cultivated - Storage-Type Terraces 4 5

50 50 51 55

Pasture or Range 6 - poor 52 65 75 79

6
Pasture or Range - fair 50 54 65 71
6
Pasture or Range - good 50 50 59 66

Woods - poor 50 50 63 70
Woods - fair 50 50 58 65

7
Miscellaneous 57 69 76 79

1
Use estimated long-term land use condition
2
Hydrologic condition for cultivated agricultural lands (including fallow) is based on
the effectiveness of the ground cover being between a poor and good condition.
3
Use for designing individual gradient, open-end, storage, and underground outlet terraces
4
Includes flat pothole areas and other areas with significant storage
5
Use for designing structures downstream of underground outlet and storage type terraces
6
Includes meadow
7
Includes roads, farmsteads, urban, etc. (about 3% for most rural areas)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.19
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Example KS2-1 Application of the EFH2 computer program

Given: A small watershed in Saline County
Drainage area: 100 acres
Curve number: 76
Length: 3000 feet
Average watershed slope: 4 percent
Rainfall distribution zone: 3 (from Figure KS2-1 or Table KS2-1)
1. Open the EFH2 computer program and open/select the “Basic Data” tab. Enter State “KS” and use the
drop-down menu by County to select “Saline.” The number “3” next to the county name designates that
this county is in Distribution Zone 3.

2. Enter the remaining data on this window. The “Drainage Area” and “Runoff Curve Number” could
alternatively have been entered by opening the “RCN” tab (on the far right side of the screen).
3. Open the “Rainfall/Discharge data” tab. The 24-hour rainfall data for Saline County has automatically
been entered. At this point, you may replace these county values with site specific data from
https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/, if desired.
4. Use the drop-down menu by “Rainfall-Type” to select MSE3.

5. Upon choosing the rainfall type, the peak discharge and runoff depths are calculated.
6. To complete the project, click “File”, and then click “Save”. Print output if desired. Close the EFH2
program.

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.20
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
KS650.282 Estimating Annual Yield
of Runoff
This procedure may be used to estimate 50%,
80%, or 90% chance of annual runoff for all
counties in Kansas. For each county, the ARC II
curve number must be used for all calculations.
The procedure is based upon actual daily rainfall
retrieved from a NOAA weather station. The
annual runoff is the accumulation of the daily
runoff that is computed from the rainfall based on
the NRCS standard runoff equation, the input
county’s normal annual precipitation, and an input
ARC II curve number adjusted daily for the
previous 5-day rainfall to ARC I or ARC III
values. A log-Pearson type III statistical
procedure is used to analyze the data and assign an
occurrence interval.
The percent chance firm yield is the runoff that
can be expected from a drainage area for a given
percent of time (for example, a value read from
the 80% chance firm scale is the volume of
runoff that a drainage area can be depended upon
to yield 80 years in every 100).
For yields between 0 and 50% chance firm, use the
mean annual runoff. To manually compute the
desired runoff occurrence, refer to the following
examples.
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
__________________________________________________
National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
Example KS2-2
Given: A dam is built in Clay County on a
200-acre drainage area with an ARC II
curve number of 75. Determine the
volume of runoff that can be expected at
this site 50% of the time.
Find the normal annual precipitation for Clay
County from Table KS2-1. This amount is 31.9
inches.
Intersect curve 75 on Figure KS2-11 with an
annual precipitation of 31.9 inches. Project to the
left and read 1.9 inches from the 50% chance firm
scale.
This means that in any 1 year there is a 50%
chance of at least 1.9 inches (32 acre-feet) of
runoff at this site.
Example KS2-3
Given: A 450-acre site in Rooks County. The
ARC II curve number is 75. Determine
the minimum amount of annual runoff
that can be expected 2 years out of 10 on
the average.
Find the normal annual precipitation for Rooks
County from Table KS2-1 to be 23.9 inches.
Intersect curve 75 on Figure KS2-12 with an
annual precipitation of 23.9 inches. Project to the
left and read 1.25 (approximately 47 acre-feet).
This is the mean annual runoff. Use this value for
the 20% chance runoff at this site.
KS650-2.21
_____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-9 Annual yield of runoff for 90% chance firm

90% Chance Firm

100.00

10.00

RCN 60
RCN 65
Runoff (inches)

RCN 70
1.00 RCN 75
RCN 80
RCN 85
RCN 90

0.10

0.01
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Normal Annual Precipitation (inches)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.22
_____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-10 Annual yield of runoff for 80% chance firm

80% Chance Firm

100

10

RCN 60
RCN 65
Runoff (inches)

RCN 70
1 RCN 75
RCN 80
RCN 85
RCN 90

0.1

0.01
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Normal Annual Precipitation (inches)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.23
_____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-11 Annual yield of runoff for 50% chance firm

50% Chance Firm

100

10

RCN 60
RCN 65
Runoff (inches)

RCN 70
1 RCN 75
RCN 80
RCN 85
RCN 90

0.1

0.01
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Normal Annual Precipitation (inches)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.24
_____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-12 Mean annual yield of runoff

Mean Annual

100.00

10.00

RCN 60
Runoff (inches)

RCN 65

1.00 RCN 70

RCN 75

RCN 80

RCN 85

RCN 90
0.10

0.01
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Normal Annual Precipitation (inches)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.25
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

the top of the screen. This will display the

KS650.283 Procedure to Find the following soil data for the AOI:
Average Slope of Watershed Using --Map Unit Symbol
the Web Soil Survey --Map Unit Name
--Acres in AOI
Step 1—Using the Web Soil Survey (WSS), click --Percent of AOI
on the “Start WSS” button.
Step 6—Calculate the “Slope to Use” from the
Step 2—Under “Navigate By,” click on “PLSS slopes shown for each map unit.
(section, township, range)” and enter the state and
legal description where indicated. Click on the Step 7—Multiply the “Slope to Use” by the
“View” button. “Percent of AOI” for each map unit to obtain the
“AOI Average Slope.”
Step 3—Click the “Legend” side tab, and under
“Map Legend” scroll down to “Background”, and Step 8—Find the “Total Average Slope” by
click “Topographic Map.” averaging those for each map unit and rounding to
the nearest whole number.
Step 4—The icon is used to define the area of Example KS2-4
interest (AOI) under “Area of Interest Interactive
Map.” Delineate the drainage area by clicking on Given: A dam is built in Clay County on a
each point around the perimeter of the AOI. 200-acre drainage area with an ARC II
Double click when finished with the AOI. Note: curve number of 75. Determine the
To change the scale on the topographic map, click volume of runoff that can be expected at
on “Scale”, and follow the directions. this site 50% of the time.
Step 5—After the drainage area is displayed on Shown below is this site in WSS:
screen (digitized), click on the “Soil Map” tab at

AOI

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.26
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

The average slope for this AOI would be found as follows:

Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F

Map Unit Map Unit Slope To Use Percent of
Symbol Name Slope (Average of AOI AOI Average Slope
(from WSS) (from WSS) (from WSS) Column C) (from WSS) (Column D x Column E)
7252 Grundy 1 to 3% 2% .307 0.614
7253 Grundy 3 to 7% 5% .162 0.81
7541 Sharpsburg 4 to 8% 6% .062 0.372
7589 Shelby 3 to 7% 5% .27 1.35
7591 Shelby-Pawnee 3 to 7% 5% .198 0.99
Total Average Slope = 4.10 (Use 4)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.27
________________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Step 2—Determine the average watershed slope

KS650.284 Procedure to Find the by adjusting each slope computed for its
Average Slope of Watershed Using proportion in the watershed.
Topographic Maps
From a visual examination, the following
The following steps can be used to find the proportions have been assigned to the slopes
average watershed slope by using topographic computed in Step 1. A weighted product is then
maps: computed to obtain the average slope of the entire
watershed:
Step 1—Select several random slopes that typify
the slopes found in the watershed. Product x 100
10% of watershed = 8% slope 0.80
In the watershed drawing below, the following 20% of watershed = 5% slope 1.00
slopes have been computed as typical slopes found 40% of watershed = 13% slope 5.20
in the watershed (elevations have been estimated 20% of watershed = 25% slope 5.00
in some cases): 10% of watershed = 15% slope 1.50
Average slope of watershed = 13.50%
Slope A: (325 - 250) / 900 = 75 / 900 = 8%
Slope B: (325 - 270) / 1200 = 55 / 1200 = 5% Note that the watershed map below was
Slope C: (600 - 300) / 2400 = 300 / 2400 = 13% reproduced from a United States Geological
Slope D: (525 - 350) / 700 = 175 / 700 = 25% Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle of the
Slope E: (425 - 225) / 1300 = 200 / 1300 = 15% 7.5-minute series with a 10-foot contour interval.
For clarity, only the 50-foot contours have been
reproduced.

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.28
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

KS650.285 Procedure to Find the

Average Slope of Watershed Using
ArcMap Tools
The following steps can be used to find the
average watershed slope using ArcMap where
LiDAR data is available:
Step 1—Load the Digital Raster Graphic (drg)
topographic image and LiDAR layers.
Step 2—By graphical polygon. Using the
graphical tool polygon,
Step 4—Open the ArcToolbox ( ), and find
delineate the watershed drainage area boundary, Spatial Analyst Tools | Surface | Slope (then
by observation of the drg layer or LiDAR layer double-click to start the Slope tool).
contours.
By shapefile polygon. Alternatively, create a
polygon in a shapefile layer to delineate the
watershed drainage area boundary.
Step 3—By graphical polygon. With the drainage
boundary polygon graphic selected, right click on
the LiDAR layer, and select “Data | Export Data”.
In the dialog box, ensure that Extent is set to
“Selected Graphics (Clipping)”, set Format to
“GRID”, and set Location to desired folder. Note
the name or enter a desired name for the file. Save
and, when prompted, select “Yes” to add the
clipped data to the map as a new layer.
By shapefile polygon. If a shapefile polygon was Step 5—In the Slope tool dialog box, select the
created, open the ArcToolbox ( ), and find clipped raster LiDAR file (from Step 3) for the
Spatial Analyst Tools | Extraction | Extract by input raster. Name the output raster file
Mask (then double-click to start the tool). In the “wtshd_slope” in the desired directory. Set the
“Extract by Mask” dialog box, select the LiDAR output measurement to Percent_Rise. The “Z
layer as the “input raster”; select the shapefile factor” should remain as the default entry of 1.
polygon as the “input raster or feature mask data” Select “OK”.
(clip boundary); enter a desired file name for the
“output raster”. Click “OK” to run the tool, which Step 6—Right click the newly created layer (as
creates a new layer with the clipped LiDAR. named in Step 5); select Properties | Source tab,
and scroll to Statistics. Read the average slope
from the row labeled “Mean”.

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.29
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
KS650.286 Procedure for Estimating
Conservation Practice Effects on
Water Conservation
(a) General
This procedure can be used to estimate the effects
of conservation practices on the conservation of
water available for plant growth. The portion
involving terraces is based on the annual mean
runoff using runoff curve numbers. It does not
measure the effectiveness of terraces in controlling
runoff from intense storms.
The portion involving crop residue is based upon
experimental data at 4 locations in the Great Plains
area. The mulch is most effective in reducing
evaporation, but it also controls runoff to some
extent.
(b) Effect of terraces on runoff
Step 1—Determine the weighted ARC II runoff
curve number for conditions existing prior to
applying terraces and after terraces are installed.
Use Form KS-ENG-137b.
Step 2—Determine the normal annual
precipitation from Table KS2-1.
Step 3—Enter the curve on Figure KS2-12 with
the normal annual precipitation and the weighted
runoff curve number before terracing, and read the
mean annual runoff in inches. Repeat this process
with the weighted runoff curve number after
terracing.
Step 4—The difference in the mean annual
runoff—before and after terracing—indicates the
effectiveness of the terrace in conserving water.
(c) Effects of crop residue on evaporation
and runoff
Step 1—Determine the average annual amount of
crop residue in pounds per acre. This should be
the pounds of residue on the soil surface at
approximately the middle of the residue
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
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National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
management operations. Start with the amount of
residue immediately after harvest and estimate the
residue losses from planned tillage operations
through the first half of the tillage program. This
should give the average amount of crop residue for
the operator's residue management program.
Table 2, Residue Reduction by Type of Activity,
in Kansas Conservation Practice Standard 344,
Residue Management, Seasonal, Construction
Specifications, can be used to make the annual
residue estimates.
Step 2—Determine the normal annual
precipitation from Table KS2-1.
Step 3—Enter the curve on Figure KS2-13 with
the crop residue, in pounds per acre, using current
residue management practices and normal annual
precipitation in inches, and read the moisture
saved in inches. Repeat the process using the
proposed improved residue management practices.
Step 4—The difference in the moisture saved with
improved residue management indicates the
effectiveness of the increased residue levels in
conserving water.
(d) Effect of both terraces and crop residue
on water conservation
The effect of both terraces and crop residue on
water conservation is the sum of the individual
effects:
Step 4 in (b) above + Step 4 in (c) above
Example KS2-5
Given: A 160-acre field in Scott County has
115 acres of soil classified as Colby silt
loam and 45 acres of Ness clay. The crop
rotation is wheat and summer fallow.
Tillage operations result in a clean-tilled
surface.
Step 1—Determine the mean annual runoff from
the untreated field.
Compute the weighted runoff curve number:
KS650-2.30
________________________________ ____________________________
Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff
and Peak Discharges
Colby silt loam is in hydrologic soil group B
(from Web Soil Survey) with a runoff curve
number of (84 + 74) / 2 = 79 (from Table KS2-
7 for fallow and small grain with no terraces).
Ness clay is in hydrologic soil group D (from
Web Soil Survey) with a runoff curve number
of (92 + 85) / 2 = 88.5 (from Table KS2-7 for
fallow and small grain with no terraces).
Weighted runoff curve number = [(79 x
115 acres) + (88.5 x 45 acres)] / 160 acres =
81.7—use 82.
Determine the normal annual precipitation for
Scott County from Table KS2-1. This amount is
20.2 inches.
Enter Figure KS2-12 with an annual precipitation
of 20.2 inches, a runoff curve number of 82, and
read the mean annual runoff as 1.2 inches.
Step 2—Determine how much runoff is conserved
by adding storage-type terraces to the 160-acre field.
Compute the weighted runoff curve number:
The runoff curve number for the "B" soil is 60
(from Table KS2-7 for storage-type terraces).
The runoff curve number for the "D" soil is 70
(from Table KS2-7 for storage-type terraces).
Weighted runoff curve number = [(60 x
115 acres) + (70 x 45 acres)] / 160 acres =
62.8—use 63.
Enter Figure KS2-12 with an annual precipitation
of 20.2 inches, runoff curve number of 63, and
read the annual runoff as 0.09 inch.
The runoff saved by the terraces is the difference
between the runoff from the treated and untreated
field:
Step 1 of this example - Step 2 of this example
This value is 1.2 - 0.09 = 1.1 inches.
Step 3—Determine how much water is conserved
by 2,500 pounds per acre of crop residue.
(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)
__________________________________________________
National Engineering Handbook Part 650
Engineering Field Handbook
Enter the curve on Figure KS2-13 with 2,500
pounds per acre of crop residue and a normal
annual precipitation of 20.2 inches. Read the
moisture saved as 1.2 inches. (In this example, it
is a clean-tilled field; therefore, the water saved
with the current residue management is 0.)
Step 4—Determine how much water is conserved
by using storage terraces and 2,500 pounds of crop
residue as compared to an untreated field.
The water conservation is the total of water saved
by the terraces and water saved by the residue:
The result of Step 2 of this example + Step 3 of
this example
This value is 1.1 + 1.2 = 2.3 inches.
The acre-feet of water conserved = (2.3 inches) x
(1 foot/12 inches) x (160 acres) = 31 acre-feet.
Example KS2-6
Given: The field in Example KS2-5 is tilled by
methods that leave 750 pounds per acre of
crop residue on the surface.
Determine how much water is saved by increasing
the crop residue to 3,000 pounds per acre.
Step 1—Enter the curve on Figure KS2-13 with
750 pounds per acre of crop residue and a normal
annual precipitation of 20.2 inches. Read the
moisture saved as 0.4 inch.
Step 2—Enter the curve on Figure KS2-13 with
3,000 pounds per acre of crop residue and a
normal annual precipitation of 20.2 inches. Read
the moisture saved as 1.4 inches.
The effect of increasing the crop residue on the
surface from 750 to 3,000 pounds per acre is the
difference in moisture saved between the 2 residue
levels:
Step 2 of this example - Step 1 of this example
This value is 1.4 - 0.4 = 1.0 inch.
KS650-2.31
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Chapter 2 Estimating Runoff National Engineering Handbook Part 650
and Peak Discharges Engineering Field Handbook

Figure KS2-13 Moisture saved by crop residue (includes evaporation and runoff)

4.00
26"

3.50 24"

22"
3.00
20"
Moisture Saved (inches)

18"
2.50
16"

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Average Crop Residue (pounds/acre)

(KS210-650-H, Amend. KS30, June 2017)

KS650-2.32