Estimation of Peak Flow

 NRCS (SCS) Curve Number Method

 SCS Curve Number Method for
Effective rainfall (Runoff)
 The basic equation for computing the depth of
effective or direct runoff from a storm.

(P  I a )2
Pe 
P  Ia  S
where
Q = runoff (cm)
P = rainfall (cm)
Ia = initial abstraction (cm.)
S = potential maximum retention after runoff begins (cm)
SCS Curve Number Method - Initial
Abstraction, Ia
Ia is all losses before
runoff begins. It includes
water retained in surface
depressions, water
I a  0.2 S
intercepted by vegetation,
evaporation, and
infiltration. Ia is highly ( P  0.2S ) 2
variable but generally is Pe 
P  0.8S
correlated with soil and
cover parameters.
 SCS Curve Number Method for
Effective rainfall (Runoff)
 Plotting the data for P and Pe  The curve number CN
from many watersheds, the SCS
curves are obtained. and S are related by
 2540
 To standardize these curves, a  S   25.4 (cm)
CN
dimensionless curve number CN is 
defined such that 


0 ≤ CN ≤ 100.  S 
25400
 254 ( mm)
 CN
 For impervious and water 

surfaces CN = 100. S  1000  10 (in)

 CN
 For natural surfaces CN < 100
SCS Curve Number Method for
Effective rainfall (Runoff)
 Curve numbers have been tabulated by the Soil Conservation
Service on the basis of soil type and land use and presented in
Chow et al., (1988)

Group A: Deep sand, Group B: Shallow

deep loess,
Four aggregated silts loess, sandy loam

soil
groups Group C: Clay loam, Group D: Soils that
shallow sandy loam, swell significantly
defined soils low in organic when wet, heavy
content, and soils plastic clays, and
usually high in clay certain saline soils
 Runoff curve numbers for selected agricultural, suburban, and
urban land uses (antecedent moisture condition II, Ia = 0.2S)
Land Use Description Hydrologic Soil Group
A B C D
Cultivated land: Without conservation treatment 72 81 88 91
With conservation treatment 62 71 78 81
Pasture or range land: Poor condition 68 79 86 89
Good condition 39 61 74 80
Meadow: good condition 30 58 71 78
Wood or forest land: Thin stand, poor cover, no mulch 45 66 77 83
Good cover 25 55 70 77
Open spaces, lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.
Good condition: grass cover on 75% or more or the area 39 61 74 80
Fair condition: grass cover on 50% to 75% of the area 49 69 79 84
Commercial and business areas (85% impervious) 89 92 94 95
Industrial districts (72% impervious) 81 88 91 93
Residential
Average lot size Average % impervious
1/8 acre or less 65 77 85 90 92
¼ acre 38 61 75 83 87
1/3 acre 30 57 72 81 86
½ acre 25 54 70 80 85
1 acre 20 51 68 79 84
Paved parking lots, roofs, driveways, etc. 98 98 98 98
Streets and roads:
Paved with curbs and storm sewers 98 98 98 98
SCS Curve Number Method for
Effective rainfall (Runoff)
 The curve numbers used in the above equation apply
for normal antecedent moisture conditions (AMC II).

 For dry conditions (AMC I) or wet conditions (AMC III),

equivalent curve numbers can be computed by

 4.2CN ( II )
CN ( I )  (dry condition)
10  0.058CN ( II )



 23CN ( II )
CN ( III )  (wet condition)

 10  0.13CN ( II )
 SCS Peak Flow Estimation

 Having obtained the effective rainfall Pe, the peak flow

is estimated by the equation

Q  qu APe
 Unit peak runoff rate is estimated as

qu  C f .10 K

K  C0  C1 log10 t c  C2 (log10 t c ) 2
 Symbols Defined
▪ Q = peak flow (m3/s) are a function of the 24 hour
rainfall distribution type and Ia/P.
▪ qu = unit peak runoff rate
(m3/s/km2/mm) ▪ Qa = adjusted peak flow
(m3/s)
▪ A = catchment area (km2)
▪ Cf = conversion factor =
▪ Pe= depth of effective
0.00043 for SI units
rainfall (mm)
▪ Ia = Initial abstraction (mm)
▪ tc = the time of concentration
with Ia= 0.2S
(hr)
▪ C0, C1, and C2 are coefficients
read from tables based on
Coefficients, listed in Tables, these
Example
 Find: The 10-year peak flow using the SCS peak flow method.

Given: The following physical and hydrologic conditions.

 3.3 sq km of fair condition open space and 2.8 sq km of
large lot residential
 Negligible pond and swamp land

 Hydrologic soil type C

 Average antecedent moisture conditions

 Time of concentration is 0.8 hr

 24-hour, type II rainfall distribution, 10-year rainfall of 150

mm
 Step 1: Calculate the composite curve number using Table (CN)
and Equation
CN = Σ (CNx Ax)/A = [3.3(79) + 2.8(77)]/(3.3 + 2.8) = 78
 Step 2: Calculate the retention, S, using Equation

S = 25.4(1000/CN - 10) = 25.4 [(1000/78) - 10] = 72 mm

 Step 3: Calculate the depth of direct runoff using Equation
 Pe = (P-0.2S )2 / (P+0.8S ) = [150 - 0.2(72)]2/[[150
+ 0.8(72)] = 89 mm
 Step 4: Determine Ia/P from Table or compute
 Ia/P = 0.10 (Ia= 0.2S)
Step 5: Determine coefficients from Table
C0 = 2.55323 ,C1 = -0.61512 C2 = -0.16403
Step 6: Calculate unit peak flow using Equation
qu = (0.000431) (10C0+C1log tc + C2 (log tc )2 )
qu=(0.000431)(10[ 2.55323+(−0.61512) log (0.8)+(−0.16403) [log (0.8)] 2])
qu = 0.176 m3/s/km2/mm
Step 7: Calculate peak flow using Equation
 qp = qu Ak Pe = (0.176)(3.3 + 2.8)(89) = 96 m3/s